Kathmandu. Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is frequently used to identify Nepal in the world. Sagarmatha, which has made the most important contribution to Nepal’s tourism, is special for us in terms of religious, tourism and economic aspects.

However, in recent years, with the increasing number of tourists and climbers, there has been a problem due to the accumulation of garbage on Mt. Everest. This poses a serious challenge to the ecological balance and the Himalayan ecosystem.

Drone technology has been used in the transportation of waste to Mt. Everest in recent times with the aim of protecting the mountains from the effects of climate change. Symox Inc., the authorized distributor of electric vehicles BYD in Nepal, has said that it is collecting waste through drones in coordination with Nepal’s drone company Airlift Technology.

According to Symax Inc., the company is working with a target of collecting 1,000 kg of waste from the Sagarmatha region. BYD has launched a garbage collection campaign in the Sagarmatha region in Nepal as part of its global campaign against climate change with the slogan ‘Cool the Earth Y1 Degree’. Sahil Shrestha, CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Cymex Inc. said that the campaign has been launched globally with the aim of promoting clean energy and controlling the earth’s temperature rise through zero carbon emissions.

He said that they have started this campaign with the aim of helping to save Mt. Everest and reduce climate change. “Sagarmatha is our national pride, we are active to make a positive impact by using technology in its conservation, we are always in favor of sustainable development and clean environment and this campaign is a continuation of that,” he said. ’

According to Milan Pandey, director of airlift technology, the drones used in garbage collection can operate at a speed of about 15 meters per second and a cold of 15 degrees Celsius. It is expected to work to reduce traditional risks for cleaning the Sagarmatha region.

According to Director Pandey, it used to take 6 to 7 hours to transport waste in the upper reaches of Mt Everest, but now it has become possible in one to two minutes with the use of technology. “In the past years, many people lost their lives due to ‘rope fixing’ and transportation of goods due to garbage piling up in Khumbu Ifusal, but now the use of technology has not only made the transportation of goods including garbage easier, but many lives have also been saved,” he said. According to him, work is underway to bring waste to the base camp using drones at an altitude of 6,130 meters above Mt Everest.

Waste management is also being carried out in collaboration with Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. “Earlier, we had collected 234 kg of garbage from Camp-1 of Mt Everest and 641 kg from Mount Amadablum in 2024, but this time 286 kg of garbage is being collected from Sagarmatha area in collaboration with Symex Inc,” he said. Airlift Technology plans to expand the campaign to other mountainous areas and national parks after collecting garbage on Mt Everest.

According to Samir Shrestha, market head of Symex Inc., 286 kg of garbage has already been collected using drones from Sagarmatha Camp-1 last season. “The airlift company had earlier collected waste from the Sagarmatha area,” he said, adding, “This time we have started collecting 1,000 kg of waste together with Symex Inc and Airlift Technology.” ’

Stating that technology plays an important role in the campaign against climate change, BYD’s marketing chief Shrestha said that the use of drones in garbage collection has made it easier. “After the successful use of drones in rope fixing, we have used drones to collect waste,” he said.

Mingma David Sherpa, first vice-president of Nepal Mountaineering Association and mountaineer, said that the problem has arisen due to the garbage being dumped on Mt Everest by the climbers. Stating that there is a huge cost and risk in collecting waste from Mt Everest, he said that the use of technology has made it very easy.

He said, “The government keeps some fees as collateral in the title of garbage from the climbers every time, but later it also gives it back, but the increase in garbage in the Sagarmatha area has not stopped, which has added to the problem.” According to him, now the garbage should be managed by charging a fee from the climbers.