Kathmandu. Climbers who are going to climb the highest peak Everest and surrounding mountains have to bring back the direction urine they made during that time.
Khumbu Passanglhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu District, where Mount Everest is located, has approved and implemented ‘Aadhaar Camp Management Procedure 2080’, using the jurisdiction of the local level to manage waste. The procedure approved by the executive on January 23 was certified on January 24. According to this procedure, climbers will no longer be allowed to urinate in the open mountain at the base camp of Everest and during the ascent.
Climbers have to use ‘poop bag’ or ‘biodegradable bag’. It is made mandatory by the procedure.
According to Tourism Department Director Rakesh Gurung, the local level has made this procedure for waste management within its jurisdiction. He said that all the climbers should follow this decision after discussion with the relevant authorities.
The same procedure has also been implemented in Lhotse, Nuptse and Amadablam mountains, including Everest, which fall within the area of Khumbu Pasanglhamu rural municipality.
According to the procedure, now every climber from Everest, Lhotse and Nhuptse has to carry 8 kg of garbage and 3 kg from Amadablam to the base camp.
In order to minimize the environmental impact, it is mentioned in the procedure that such a rule has to be imposed to promote the principle of ‘Leave No Trash’ and responsible mountaineering practice.
To keep the base camp area clean, every climbing team has to conduct regular cleaning campaign around the camp. A list of items needed above the base camp must be prepared and registered.
After the mountaineering expedition, there is also a rule that the equipment used during this expedition and the ropes that were hung should be brought back to the base camp. Food and other materials cannot be stored above the base camp. The use of box tents above the base camp is also prohibited.
Based on the principle that the polluter pays for the waste brought from above the base camp and produced in the camp, the local level will charge the fee.\
Attached toilets are not allowed in the sleeping tents in the base camp. A maximum of 4 toilet tents have to be built for the collective purpose of up to 15 people in each camp. Apart from this, two more shower tents and two urine toilet tents can be made.
It is also forbidden to hang empty tents unless necessary. A maximum of 80 square feet per person for sleeping and 10 square feet per person for food can be used in the base camp.
‘Garbage clearance letter’ only after dead body disposal
Now the related trekking/travel agencies will be responsible for managing the dead bodies of climbers, pathfinders and high altitude workers in the mountains including Everest. Such companies will get a ‘Garbage Clearance Letter’ only after handling waste and dead bodies as prescribed.
No bright flashing lights
The procedure prohibits the lighting of bright lights visible from a long distance and flickering from a distance in the base camp unless necessary in the camp premises.
Except in case of emergency, lights must be turned off in the camp premises at night. It is also prohibited to destroy local materials including stones while making camp in the base camp.
Prohibition to run commercial bar, bakery cafe
Activities such as commercial bars, bakery cafes and spa operations have now been suspended in the Everest region. Due to the picturesque natural scenery and the magnificent Sherpa culture, the municipality has banned such activities in view of the cultural sensitivities of the Mt.
Climbing teams, trekking agencies, hoteliers or any person or organization are not allowed to set up permanent tents for commercial activities in any Himal Chuli base camp within the rural municipality.
Adventure activities are not permitted without permission
In the mountains including the Everest region, commercial activities can now be carried out only with permission according to the law. In order to guarantee safety in mountain climbing activities, the necessary system used in emergency situations has to be kept agile. It is also mentioned in the procedure that basic first aid, technical knowledge and trained climbing assistants related to mountaineering should be arranged for mountaineering.
Prohibition of carrying goods by helicopter above Sangboche
The procedure now prohibits helicopters from carrying goods above Syangboche. Now helicopters have to be used in the mountains only for rescue purposes.
Now above Syangboche only transportation has to be done through yaks, jopke (khachad) and local workers. According to the rural municipality, such a decision had to be taken to raise the standard of living of the local community through mountain climbing. Except for rescue purposes, helicopter flights and landings above the base camp have also been banned.
