Nepal announces it’s opening 97 peaks in Karnali and Sudurpaschim to international climbers for free as it hopes to diversify tourism away from the world’s highest mountain.

Nepal will make climbing permits free for 97 of its Himalayan mountains to create more tourism in some of its remote provinces.

Nepal has waived climbing fees for 97 mountains, officials said on Wednesday, hoping to steer people to its lesser-known peaks and boost local economies. "These remote areas have immense tourism potential and we hope the local economy can benefit,