Nepal allows climbers to scale Mount Everest - providing they bring back 8kg of rubbish with them
Authorities threaten legal action against those who fail to comply with new law as waste begins to pile up
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Climbers who take on the challenge of Mount Everest will may from this year have to bring back 8kg of rubbish down with them.
The adventurers face losing a $4,000 (£2,600) deposit if they fail to bring back the litter required by a new law due to come into force this spring. the legislation will affect those who opt to go beyond the Everest Base Camp, situated at 5,300m (17, 388ft).
Nepalese government officials have expressed concern that general waste is reaching an uncontrollable level - despite previous attempts from climbers to remove from more obscure areas - and have introduced the ruling in a bid to clean up before Everest welcomes its peak number of visitors in April.
Tourism ministry official Madhusudan Burlakoti said:"Once (returning climbers) submit the rubbish to officials of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee on their return to the Everest base camp, they will get a receipt. They will need to submit that to us so that they can reclaim their deposits."
The new ruling excludes items such as oxygen canisters and human remains, which have been found on various parts of the 8,848m (29,029ft) mountain. Mr Burlakoti insisted that the government are taking the new ruling seriously and revealed they would impose penalties on those people who do not oblige.
He added: "Our earlier efforts have not been very effective. This time, if climbers don't bring back garbage, we will take legal action and penalise them."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments