'Human excreta creating health hazard on the Mount Everest'

Kathmandu, March 4: In what can be said as a worrisome development for the nature, it has been reported that the Mount Everest, the highest peak on the planet, is covered in human poo and is turning into a 'junkyard'.

According to a report published in The Guardian, waste from the 700 climbers and guides a year who attempt to scale the mountain is becoming a health hazard.

Ang Tshering, the chief of Nepal's mountaineering association on Tuesday, March 3 told reporters that the human waste left by climbers on Mount Everest has become a problem and is not only causing pollution but also threatening to spread disease on the world's highest peak.

To maintain the purity and cleanliness of the Mount Everest, Tshering said that the government of Nepal needs to get the climbers to dispose of the waste properly.

The mountaineering season began last week and it will last till May. There are four camps that are not equipped with toilets. Toilets are built only at the base camp.

In what should set the alarm bell ringing, Tshering said, "Climbers usually dig holes in the snow for their toilet use and leave the human waste there,", adding that the waste has been "piling up" for years around the four camps.

Dawa Steven Sherpa, said some climbers carry disposable travel toilet bags to use in the higher camps.

As per the Reuters reports, Nepal has threatened stricter enforcement of penalties to persuade climbers to clean up after themselves and carry litter back to base camp.

OneIndia News