Nepalese Army Removes Eleven Tonnes of Rubbish from Himalayan Peaks

In a significant environmental effort, the Nepalese army has removed eleven tonnes of rubbish from the peaks of the Himalayan mountains over the past few months. The clean-up operation also included the removal of four corpses and one skeleton from Mount Everest and two other Himalayan peaks.

According to a BBC report, Nepalese troops recovered this waste and the bodies from Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse mountains over a 55-day period. Despite these efforts, estimates suggest that more than fifty tonnes of waste and over 200 bodies remain on Everest, often referred to as the 'world's highest garbage dump'.

The Himalayan clean-up operation began its annual activities in 2019, driven by concerns over overcrowding and the dangerous conditions climbers face to reach the summit. To date, these clean-ups have collected 119 tonnes of rubbish, 14 human corpses, and some skeletons.

This year, to further reduce rubbish and improve rescues, authorities required climbers to wear tracking devices and bring back their waste. For the spring climbing season that ended in May, the government issued permits to 421 climbers, a decrease from a record 478 permits last year. Including Nepalese guides, around 600 people climbed the mountain this year.

Tragically, eight climbers died or went missing this season, compared to 19 last year. Among those missing are Brit Daniel Paterson and his Nepalese guide Pastenji Sherpa, who were struck by falling ice on May 21. Paterson's family attempted to raise funds for a search team but later reported that recovery "is not possible at this time".

The clean-up efforts highlight the ongoing challenge of maintaining the pristine condition of the Himalayas while ensuring the safety and well-being of climbers. With continued efforts, authorities hope to reduce the environmental impact and hazards associated with the increasing popularity of Himalayan expeditions.