Everest in crisis: Trash & human waste pile up on world's tallest peak

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : Mount Everest, located on the border of Nepal and China and considered the world's highest peak at 8,849 meters, is facing a serious environmental crisis. Hundreds of climbers flock to the summit each year for its stunning natural beauty and adventure, but the growing crowds and the waste left behind are now posing a significant threat to Everest's fragile ecosystem.

The world's highest peak is covered in layers of garbage

A video recently shared by the platform Everest Today exposed this horrifying reality. The video shows plastic bags, old clothes, food packets, empty oxygen cylinders, and torn tents scattered across the snowy slopes. The situation remains largely unchanged today.

The accumulation of garbage, especially at high-altitude camps—especially Camp 4—where climbers' lives depend on oxygen, has become a cause for concern. The images clearly indicate that human negligence has not spared even the roof of the world. Everest Today wrote on the social media platform X that the accumulation of garbage at Camp 4 is extremely sad. The post said, "Where humans survive on oxygen, the mountain seems to be dying under our garbage. In the race to reach higher peaks, we are forgetting our responsibility towards the mountain that carries our dreams." The post also demanded strict rules, clean climbing, and a solid waste management system.

Outrage on social media, demand for strictness:

As soon as the video surfaced, people on social media erupted in anger. One user wrote that he had been to Everest Base Camp and was heartbroken by the scene. Many suggested that cleaning should be included as a mandatory part of the mountaineering fee. Some users even said that climbers who cannot bring back their trash should not be allowed to climb Everest. At the same time, many are questioning why the administration is allowing such a situation to develop.