April 5 2024.

Introduction:

The Nepal Army will collect around 10 tonnes of garbage and five bodies lying at Mt. Everest as part of the Mountain Cleaning Campaign 2024 in the Everest region. The cleaning campaign aims to control human-made pollution in the Himalayas and address problems related to climate change.

 Expedition Team

A 12-member team led by Maj. Aditya Karki will embark on the Everest base camp on April 14. An 18-member Sherpa team will assist the army in its cleaning expedition. The expedition will be flagged off by Nepal Army chief Gen. Prabhuram Sharma in Kathmandu.

 Waste Management

The team will bring garbage from Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse. Biodegradable waste will be brought to Namche Bazaar below the base camp and handed over to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) for proper treatment. Non-biodegradable waste and dead bodies will be brought to Kathmandu.

 Collaborations

The Nepal Army will collaborate with the Ministry of Forest and Environment, the Tourism Department, and the Nepal Mountaineers Association for the Everest region’s cleaning campaign.

 Previous Campaigns

The Nepal Army has been launching the cleaning campaign in the Everest region since 2019. This will be the fourth such campaign led by the Nepal Army.

 Additional Facts

Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain, stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level. The Everest region attracts thousands of climbers and trekkers each year, leading to an accumulation of waste and environmental concerns. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) is a local NGO responsible for managing waste in the Everest region and promoting sustainable tourism practices.