The government is preparing to extend the climbing permits of several mountain climbers who had been compelled to abandon their expeditions last year due to avalanches on the Himalaya triggered by the April 25 earthquake.

The Finance Ministry has affirmed the Tourism Ministry?s proposition to augment the licenses for two years. Officials of the Department of Tourism said they got the Finance Ministry?s thumbs up on Thursday. The Tourism Ministry will now send the proposal to the Cabinet for its final endorsement.

A year ago, 103 groups comprising of 801 people had received grants to climb various peaks in the Himalaya. Among them were 357 mountaineers (18 of them Nepalese) who had obtained Everest climbing permits.

According to officers, the mountaineers, including Everest aspirants, who had abandoned their summit bids last year, had been waiting for clearance to make fresh attempts this spring.

The world?s highest peak was closed for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015 due to deadly avalanches. On April 18, 2014, an avalanche on Everest near Everest Base Camp killed 16 Nepali guides.

The first post-avalanche ascent happened on May 23, 2014 when Chinese climber Wang Jing reached the summit of Everest. However, her ascent sparked controversy as she had bypassed the Khumbu Icefall by helicopter.

The government had extended the Everest climbing permits until 2019 for those climbers who were forced to abandon the mission.

About 334 mountaineers were issued climbing permits in 2014, and they have been allowed to return to the peak at any time until 2019.

Everest contenders apply for climbing permits between mid-March and April-end. Actual climbing starts in mid-May.