Nepal is making 97 mountains free to climb for two years. The country wants more tourists in poorer and less-developed areas of the country. A tourism official said the mountains that will have no fees are over 5,970 metres high. He told the "Kathmandu Post" about the new plan. He said the number of trekkers in the poorer areas was low because access was difficult. He hopes more trekkers will create jobs and strengthen the local economy.

Nepal's government will also increase the fee to climb Mount Everest. From September, it will rise from $11,000 to $15,000. This is the first increase in ten years. Another new rule is that trekkers must prove they have climbed a Nepalese mountain that is over 7,000 metres high. This may get more people to try some of the 97 free mountains. The tourism department said these mountains are "ideal training grounds" to reach the top of Everest.