We have been holding discussions with the climbers and officials to make climbing Everest safer

Ganesh Raj Karki, Mountaineering Department

The ministry of tourism and civil aviation has proposed changes in the tourism regulation.

These would have to be approved by the prime minister's cabinet before a new law is adopted.

The proposal comes amid concern for the health and safety of young teenage porters accompanying climbing expeditions in the Himalayas.

Mount Everest was first conquered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay nearly 50 years ago.

Since then the world's highest peak has been climbed more than 1,000 times and about 180 climbers have died on its unpredictable slopes.

Excessive risk

The proposal to ban children comes a year after 16-year-old Temba Tsheri scaled the 8,848 metre peak to become the youngest climber to reach the summit of Everest.

The conquerors: Norgay and Hillary

Some officials fear young porters will take excessive risks to emulate his feat.

After a previous failed attempt to conquer the mountain Mr Tsheri had to have several frostbitten fingers amputated.

In 1999, a 15-year-old Nepali boy, Arvin Timilsina, suffered snow blindness near the summit.

He was rescued by Nepali Sherpa guides.

Officials say those below 16 are being banned as they face a greater risk of altitude sickness and also inhale less oxygen than they need to.

The ministry is also mulling the possibility of banning elderly climbers from Everest's slopes.

About six teams are expected to make an attempt to scale the mountain this spring.