Buddhist nations, Nepal and China have teamed up to use heavy-lift drones to clean trash from Mount Everest’s slopes. Experienced Sherpas will operate the drones that Da Jiang Innovations, China’s largest drone manufacturer, is providing. This project seeks to lessen the risk to Sherpas, who have traditionally collected trash on foot in dangerous environments.
The local municipality of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu, which includes Everest, and the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) have signed an agreement of understanding to employ drones for cleanup. Following a successful test in April, the drones are scheduled to be commercially deployed in the Everest region.
The SPCC is critical to keeping Everest clean, requiring climbers to return with a specific quantity of waste to reclaim a $4,000 deposit. As global warming uncovers waste and dead trapped beneath snow and ice, the risk of pollution rises, making drone operations even more important.
Drones are expected to transport 30 kg of material from Camp I, with the capability falling to 18 kg at greater altitudes. While there are fears about employment losses, the major purpose is to prevent additional deaths in the dangerous Khumbu Icefall, where around 50 Sherpas have died since 1953. Sherpas will continue to be involved in operations at higher altitudes.
