Mount Everest attracts countless climbers every year. However, the mountain is notorious for being filled with trash, earning it the nickname “the world’s highest garbage dump.”
According to a report by Business Insider, Nepal has tried various solutions, including requiring climbers to carry down about 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of trash or pay a hefty fee. However, it is often Sherpas, the local mountain guides, who end up collecting the trash left behind by climbers. Given the massive amounts of waste, carrying it down is both difficult and dangerous.
To address this issue, Nepal plans to use drones to help clean up Mount Everest. These drones, developed by the Chinese drone company DJI, can transport up to 226 kilograms (498 pounds) of trash per hour in test flights. This task typically requires over 12 Sherpas and takes 6 hours to complete. Last year alone, an avalanche claimed the lives of three Sherpas.
Jagat Bhusal, chief administration officer of the rural municipality that hosts Everest, said, “We hope using drones will reduce injuries and deaths among Sherpas.”
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