Sherpa And Arora's Mission To Save Himalayas

Humans are biologically a part of nature, sharing ecosystems with other living beings. Our survival depends on the natural environment, including air, water, food, and the biodiversity that sustains these systems. However, the overexploitation of natural resources often leads to environmental degradation, such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. Human activity has had profound effects on the environment, both positive and negative. Industrialisation, deforestation, pollution, and climate change have caused habitat destruction, species extinction, and the alteration of ecosystems. Nevertheless, humans also engage in conservation efforts, reforestation, and sustainable practices to mitigate environmental damage.

Purna Kumar (PK) Sherpa, a three-time Sagarmatha climber and climate campaigner born in Taplejung, has dedicated his life to reducing environmental damage in the Himalayan region. Since 2005, Sherpa has embarked on his mountain-climbing journey, having successfully ascended Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Kilimanjaro, collecting trash left by climbers in order to preserve the natural beauty of these areas. His efforts include removing harmful waste such as oxygen bottles, gas cylinders, ropes, metals, and plastic bags.

In addition to cleaning up, Sherpa has been actively involved in tree planting to regenerate ecosystems and raise awareness about climate change, which is rapidly affecting the Himalayas. He observes that temperatures in the region have risen, accelerating glacier melt and impacting both the environment and local communities.

Sherpa played a pivotal role in initiating the “Extreme Everest Expedition” in 2010, a cleanup programme that collected 1,800 kilos of trash from Everest. He also organised similar cleaning campaigns in Kanchenjunga in 2013 and 2016, collecting nearly 4,700 kilos of waste. In 2023, Sherpa established a museum in Nagarjun Municipality-6, where he displays the collected trash to further raise awareness about environmental conservation.

Beyond cleanups, Sherpa has planted over 100,000 trees across Nepal’s Himalayan, hilly, and Terai regions, focusing on areas like Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, and Sagarmatha. He has also introduced a strategy based on three essential “T’s”: Trekking (promoting health and awareness), Trash (keeping trails clean), and Tree Planting (for environmental restoration and oxygen production).

Sherpa’s observations of the Himalayas highlight the devastating effects of climate change, including receding glaciers, depleting snow lakes, and increasing pollution. He emphasises the need for youth to take action in preserving the planet, believing they are crucial in combating environmental degradation. Sherpa began his journey to climb the Seven Summits with his 17-year-old son, Sonam Sherpa. Together, they aim to conquer the highest peaks on each of the seven continents under the programme "7 Peaks of the World Father and Son Expedition." In 2021, they successfully climbed Everest, with plans to climb Denali in 2025. Through these climbs, Sherpa seeks to raise global awareness about climate change and promote mountain cleanup campaigns. His ultimate goal is to create a global network of mountaineers dedicated to protecting mountain environments and preserving natural beauty for future generations.

In 2024, Sherpa’s role gained further significance after he signed a pivotal agreement with Raveen Arora, the founder and CEO of Think Human, to address environmental and human welfare issues in Nepal. Sherpa, also the founder and President of the Globally Concerned for Climate Change (GCCC), aims to mitigate the effects of climate change while promoting human dignity. This collaboration aligns with Arora’s philosophy of unity across cultures.

Arora is an award-winning humanitarian, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. Born in a refugee camp in Kolkata, India, Arora’s experiences with poverty and hunger shaped his lifelong commitment to global service. When he and his wife moved to Arizona, United States, he founded India Plaza—a community space that started by offering free water to those in need in the sweltering heat. Over time, India Plaza grew into a vibrant hub of Indian culture, housing The Dhaba restaurant.

Arora, a dedicated humanitarian and community leader, has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the MLK Diversity Award, the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, and the Mother Teresa International Service Award. However, his work addressing hunger and food insecurity in his hometown of Tempe, Arizona, remains his most cherished achievement. As the founder and CEO of Think Human, Arora leads global conversations on empathy, inclusion, and humane thinking, advocating for human-centred communication in both the workplace and social settings.

Arora’s passion for service is deeply personal. Reflecting on his parents' sacrifices, he asks, “Can I make a difference in somebody’s life?” He believes in treating people with respect, empathy, and dignity, aiming to be remembered for his contributions to others. His global initiative, “Think Human,” emphasises unity, recognising that there is only one race—the human race. Driven by his experience with poverty, Arora is committed to fighting hunger, viewing it as the root cause of many societal problems, from crime to lack of education. He believes that hunger leads to desperation, making it difficult for individuals to distinguish right from wrong. Through his work, Arora seeks to break this cycle, fostering a more compassionate and prosperous society.

Arora’s collaboration with Sherpa builds on their shared vision of uniting humanity with nature. Together, they hope to inspire global action for environmental preservation and human welfare, particularly in Nepal. This partnership is poised to shape Nepal’s future in both environmental and social aspects.

As a journalist, I had the opportunity to meet the 77-year-old Raveen Arora in the bustling hub of Thamel. Despite his global fame, his simplicity and warmth left a profound impact on me. Arora’s presence transcended that of a renowned figure; it was the embodiment of kindness and compassion. During our brief conversation, his definition of humanity deeply resonated: "Society is larger than the economy. Service has no colours, it has only do for feel good." These simple yet powerful words reflect his belief that human connection is more important than material wealth and that selflessness should guide our interactions with one another. I can honestly say that in all my years, I have never met anyone quite like Raveen Arora. His loving nature left an indelible mark on my heart, and his dedication to serving others is an inspiration for anyone striving to be kinder and more compassionate.

(Shrestha is a journalist at The Rising Nepal.)