China to cut the number of tourists climbing Everest from the north side by one-third
Clean-up drive to clear litter from the world's highest peak planned by China's government
China is to cut the number of tourists allowed to climb Mount Everest from the Chinese side in a bid to clear-up pollution on the world's tallest peak.
According to state media, China is planning a major clean-up this year, so the number of climbers attempting to scale the mountain from the northern side will be limited to less than 300. Moreover, the climbing season will be restricted to spring - the season in which most climbers attempt to scale the mighty peak.
At 8,852 metres, Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world. It lies across two countries, China (via Tibet) and Nepal. Each year, about 60,000 climbers, tourists, and guides visit the Everest region between Tibet and Nepal, and hundreds of them attempt to scale the peak.
Most climbers climb Mount Everest via the popular South Col route accessed on the southern side, located in Nepal.
The route to the summit is littered with climbing equipment, fluorescent tents, plastic bags, spent gas tanks and even human excreta
However, Mount Everest has recently become the world's highest rubbish dump, thanks to the increasing activity of climbers and tourists. The route to the summit is littered with climbing equipment, fluorescent tents, plastic bags, spent gas tanks and even human excreta. Dead bodies of many climbers also lie in the death zone of the peak.
Since 2015, Chinese authorities have required climbers to bring back eight kilograms of rubbish when they return from the peak. Climbers are being fined $100 for every kilogram they are short. Authorities have also established stations to recycle and break down the waste collected from the mountain.
The 2019 clean-up efforts will involve the recovery of the dead bodies of climbers, as well as clearing of rubbish, equipment and faeces from the peak.
Since 2015, Chinese authorities have required climbers to bring back eight kilograms of rubbish when they return from the peak
China has also announced plans to construct eco-toilets and waste collection sites on Chinese side.
However, Tim Mosedale, a British mountain guide who has successfully climbed Mount Everest six times, thinks the latest announcement is more likely an attempt to stabilise the numbers on the Chinese side.
"Prices have gone up on the Chinese side and they are now asking for a deposit for clearing litter," Mosedale told the Guardian. "It seems to be a bit of classic muscle-flexing to show who is boss," he added.