Nepal to scrap 'failed' Mount Everest waste deposit scheme
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims·
Why in news
Nepal's tourism ministry and mountaineering department are scrapping a 11-year-old waste deposit scheme for Mount Everest due to its failure to manage trash at higher camps.
Background
Nepal is replacing a failed waste deposit scheme with a non-refundable clean-up fee of $4,000 per climber. The funds will be specifically allocated for checkpoint operations and monitoring at higher camps where waste concentration is highest.
Facts for Prelims
- FactNew non-refundable clean-up fee for Mount Everest climbers is $4,000
- PlaceMount Everest is located in Nepal
- FactThe previous waste deposit scheme was in place for 11 years
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges of managing environmental degradation in high-altitude trekking zones and evaluate the efficacy of fiscal measures like 'clean-up fees' in ensuring ecological sustainability.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory loophole: Difficulty in monitoring waste disposal at high-altitude camps beyond immediate reach
- Fiscal trade-off: Balancing tourism revenue with the escalating costs of environmental remediation
- Enforcement gap: Limitations of deposit-based systems in preventing 'leave-no-trace' violations
Keywords: Environmental degradation · Fiscal measures · High-altitude ecology · Waste management · Sustainable tourism
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.