The Mountaineers Association urged the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to implement more rigorous monitoring of helicopter flights over the Everest Base Camp. The association emphasized the necessity for enhanced surveillance to ensure that flights in the Everest region are conducted appropriately and safely.
To protect Everest and other Himalayan regions, the association has called for the government to enact strict legal measures. Among the proposed measures is the requirement that only climbers who have previously summited 8,000-meter peaks be allowed to attempt Everest. This recommendation aims to improve the organization and safety of mountaineering activities.
The association also highlighted the issue of misinformation about Everest, stemming from the lack of a centralized news dissemination system. It urged media outlets to exercise caution when reporting on events in the Everest region.
To enhance operations at and above the Everest Base Camp, the association proposed the formation of a monitoring team. This team would include representatives from the Department of Tourism, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, security personnel, and related organizations. Recent research by the association revealed that each climber generates at least eight kilograms of waste at Camp II, with an additional eight kilograms accumulated above this camp. The association stressed the importance of ensuring that climbers bring their waste back to the base camp for proper disposal.
To prevent fraudulent rescue operations, the association called on the Nepal government and relevant authorities to inspect the necessary bills and receipts for helicopter rescues. This recommendation follows a study conducted this year by a team led by the association’s First Vice President, Diwas Ghimire, and General Secretary, Shiva Bahadur Sapkota, which examined various aspects of mountaineering at the Everest Base Camp.
The Mountaineers Association’s recommendations underscore the need for improved regulation and oversight to protect the natural environment and ensure the safety and integrity of mountaineering in the Everest region.
