EVEREST BASE CAMP COULD BE MOVED
Nepal’s Department of Tourism is considering moving Everest Base Camp.
Environmental concerns are the reason for the move as Base Camp’s location faces the risk of being damaged due to the nearby Khumbu glacier. The glacier is melting much faster than the natural rate.
Nepal Tourism’s Director-General Taranath Adhikari told CNN Travel that the decision is something the country take very seriously.
“We have received recommendations from numerous stakeholders to relocate the base camp. While no decisions have been made yet, we are taking these suggestions very seriously”.
In light of the seriousness of the decision and the weather, the decision will not be made soon.
That’s because research activities can only be done during spring. Some studies have already taken place during this year’s spring climbing season in May, but authorities foresee the decision only being made in two to three years.
Those included in the research activities include local residents, mountaineers and environmental experts. Once the research has been concluded, the stakeholders will have to present their proposal to the Nepali government.
The final say in the matter will lie with Nepal’s Cabinet.
Paul Mayewski, the expedition leader and the director of the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, said the findings showed “a complete change from what has been experienced in that area, throughout probably all of the period of occupation by humans in the mountains,” reports CNN.
Image credit: BBC