Mount Everest, long recognised for its majestic heights, has unfortunately developed a less flattering reputation as the world’s most polluted peak. This spring, Nepal took a bold step by deploying heavy-duty drones to help clean the mountain slopes. Airlift Technology operated two rugged DJI FC 30 drones that were flown to Camp 1—which is over 6,000 meters above sea level—to transfer accumulated waste to Base Camp.
Between April and early June, these aerial vehicles returned with around 300 kilogrammes of waste, which included discarded oxygen cylinders, plastic bottles, and other mountaineering detritus. This strategy is a safer and speedier alternative to manual portage and costly helicopter rides.
Officials describe the initiative as revolutionary, citing remarkable efficiency gains.
A representative of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee stated that a drone can do the work that would normally take six hours for ten Sherpas. In addition to waste removal, the drones delivered essential gear like ladders, ropes, and oxygen tanks to Camp 1, reducing the hazards for porters traversing the treacherous Khumbu Icefall.
Stakeholders, including local officials and climbers, praised the invention for promoting both safety and environmental preservation. A successful pilot phase on nearby Ama Dablam, in which drones removed 641 kilogrammes of trash.
