What is this new rule?
Officials say people climbing Mount Everest must now clean up their own poop and carry it down to the base camp to throw away. This new rule has been implemented by the Pasang Lhamu rural municipality, which covers most of the Everest region.
This rule has been implemented because the weather there doesn't let poop fully decay, which is making the mountain smell bad. The municipality has received reports that some climbers are getting sick, and poop is seen on rocks. So, climbers now need to take poo bags for their poop before climbing the tallest mountain in the world.
Where do people generally poo on the Mount Everest?
During mountain climbing season, climbers spend most of their time at base camp, getting used to the altitude and cold weather. There are special tents for toilets at the base camp, and waste is collected in barrels below. But as climbers go higher, it's harder to find a bathroom.
Most climbers dig holes to poop. But as they go higher, there's less snow, so some people have to go in the open. Very few people bring their poo back in biodegradable bags, and the remaining poo doesn't fully degrade, causing a problem.
The head of the NGO Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) has said waste remains big in the area. Much of it is human waste between the base camp and the camp towards the summit.
So, how will this rule be implemented?
The SPCC plans to get 8,000 special bags from the US for climbers and helpers in March 2024. These bags have special powders and chemicals to help solidify the poo and make it nearly odourless. Each climber will get two bags, and each bag can be used five to six times. When they come back to base camp, their bags will be checked.
Many groups help clean Mount Everest and other mountains. However, removing tents, ropes, plastics, etc., is easier than removing human waste. So, climbers need to take care of their poop. They should also try to bring back all their trash to keep the environment clean.
Remember, we need to keep our surroundings clean. If you see someone littering, ask them to pick it up and throw it away properly. We all need to work together to keep the environment clean.
