The gloomy side of climbing the highest mountains on the planet : case study of waste management on 800m peaks in Pakistan

Abstract

In 1963, Everest has been described as "the world's highest junk yard". Half a decade later, all 8000m peaks in the Himalayas suffer from the same problem. Abandoned materials of all sorts ranging from tin cans and plastic containers to old ropes and shredded tents accumulate on those mountains. Abandoned materials represent direct health risks to climbers and communities downstream. Thus, this issue needs to be addressed. In Pakistan, where five 8000m peaks are located, an effort to contain this problem has been made. However, the policy implemented proves to be inadequate and ineffective. The objective of this dissertation is to analyse the reasons for abandoned materials and to review the existing environmental policies to identify and evaluate possible improvements of the waste management and related policies in Pakistan. The solution, based on thorough review of existing policies and interviews of climbers in Pakistan, lies within a stricter and effective environmental policy regulating mountaineers' behaviour on 8000m peaks.