KATHMANDU: The government has collected over Rs 1.01 billion in royalty from Mount Everest alone this climbing season, according to the Department of Tourism.

A total of 464 climbers from 47 teams have received permits for Everest, contributing to higher revenue after a recent increase in royalty fees.

Overall, 1,072 climbers from 127 teams have obtained permits to climb 29 mountains this year, generating about Rs 1.17 billion in total royalty.

Climbers from 79 countries have come to Nepal this season, with the highest numbers from China and the United States.