KATHMANDU: Mount Everest continues to draw global attention not only for its awe-inspiring peaks but also for the mounting waste problem caused by decades of climbing. With increasing piles of abandoned gear, tents, cylinders, and waste threatening its pristine image once celebrated solely for its majesty.

In the latest initiative, 5,000 kilograms of garbage have been cleared from Everest under Project Care, a campaign jointly organized by Nepal Life Insurance Company Limited and Round Table Nepal in collaboration with the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC).

The handover of the cleanup report took place at Nepal Life’s headquarters in Kathmandu, where Round Table Nepal President Pravesh Agrawal formally presented it to Nepal Life CEO Praveen Raman Parajuli. The program was attended by representatives from SPCC, waste management partner Khalisisi, and conservation stakeholders.

While major cleanup drives have been carried out in the past by the Government of Nepal, the Nepal Army, NGOs, and community partners, this latest initiative adds momentum to the collective effort. CEO Parajuli emphasized that protecting Everest is a shared responsibility, noting that “Everest is Nepal’s pride and the jewel of the world. Its preservation demands continuous commitment.”

Round Table Nepal President Agrawal said this was only the first phase, with a target to manage 25,000 kilograms of waste in the coming days. Under the project, biodegradable waste was managed below base camp, while non-biodegradable items were packed and transported to Kathmandu for recycling with Khalisisi.