KATHMANDU: Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak and a powerful symbol of Nepal’s identity, holds immense religious, touristic, and economic significance.
However, in recent years, growing numbers of climbers and tourists have led to an alarming accumulation of waste, posing a serious threat to the mountain’s fragile ecosystem and environmental balance.
To address this issue and promote sustainable conservation, drone technology is now being used to transport garbage from Everest. Cymax Inc., the official distributor of BYD electric vehicles in Nepal, has partnered with local drone company Airlift Technology to carry out this innovative waste management effort.
According to Cymax Inc., the goal is to collect 1,000 kilograms of garbage from the Everest region using drones. The initiative is part of BYD’s global campaign, “Cool the Earth by One Degree,” aimed at combating climate change by promoting clean energy and zero-carbon emissions.
Sahil Shrestha, CEO of Cymax Inc., said the company is contributing both financially and technically to the campaign as part of its corporate social responsibility. “Everest is our national pride,” Shrestha said. “We are committed to using technology for its protection and to support sustainable development and a clean environment.”
Milan Pandey, Director of Airlift Technology, explained that the drones used in the operation can fly at a speed of 15 meters per second and perform efficiently even in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 15°C.
Previously, it took six to seven hours to transport garbage from Everest’s higher camps, but with drones, the same task can now be done in just one to two minutes.
“Many lives were lost in previous years during rope-fixing and garbage transport, especially in dangerous areas like the Khumbu Icefall,” Pandey said. “Now, drone technology has not only made waste collection more efficient but also safer.”
Currently, drones are being used to transport garbage from Everest Base Camp, located at 6,130 meters, down to lower altitudes. The project is being carried out in coordination with the Everest Pollution Control Committee and Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality.
In 2024, Airlift Technology collected 234 kg of waste from Camp-1 and 641 kg from Mt. Amadablam. This season, they have already collected 286 kg from the Everest region in collaboration with Cymax Inc., with plans to expand the initiative to Amadablam and Manaslu, and eventually other Himalayan regions and national parks.
Samir Shrestha, Marketing Chief at Cymax Inc., confirmed that additional waste collection efforts are ongoing this season. “This partnership with Airlift Technology aims to collect a total of 1,000 kilograms of garbage from the Everest region,” he said.
He added that drone technology, which was earlier used successfully for rope-fixing missions, is proving equally effective for waste management.
Mingma David Sherpa, First Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association and a seasoned climber, acknowledged the challenge of climbers leaving waste on Everest.
He noted that despite the government requiring climbers to deposit a refundable waste management fee, the volume of waste continues to grow. “Collecting waste from Everest is expensive and risky, but technology has made it much easier,” he said.
“In the future, climbers should be charged waste management fees rather than refunded, to ensure accountability and better conservation.”
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