HECAF collects rubbish in Kanchanjangha base camp

By Chandra Pandak, Taplejung, Feb,12: A team has collected rubbish in the Kanchanjangha region of Taplejung, the world’s third highest peak and the second tallest mountain of Nepal.

Organizers carried out the clean-up drive in the southern base camp area to keep the Himalayan environment clean and beautiful.

After tourist arrivals increased in recent months, plastic waste began to pile up around the base camp and along trekking trails, prompting the clean-up campaign.

The Health Environment and Climate Action Foundation (HECAF) 360 led the initiative to restore environmental cleanliness and reduce the impact on the climate.

According to Dr. Chitrakar Mabo Limbu, Vice -Chair of Sirijangha Rural Municipality, the team organized the clean-up to reduce the harmful effects of west on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, glacial systems and health and sustainable livelihoods of local communities.

He also added that the campaign forms part of a broader effort to achieve zero waste in the Himalayan region.

Dr. Limbu said campaigner PK sherpa led the team, which included Dilli Khadka, head of the education section of rural municipality along with seven students.

The students represented seven schools within Sirijangha Rural Municipality, including Kanchanjangha Secondary School, Rashtriya Secondary School, Ganesh Secondary School and Tellok Secondary School.

Dr. Limbu stated the team collected rubbish along the trekking route to Kanchanjangha via Yamphudin and up to the southern base camp at Oktang.

He confirmed that the group began the campaign on 1 February and disposed of the collected waste at designated sites.

After completing the clean-up from Yamphudin to the Oktang base camp, the team returned to the rural municipality headquarters in Tellok on Monday and held discussions with local stakeholders.

During the discussion held in the presence of Vice-Chair Dr Limbu, the team shared details of its activities and experiences from the clean-up campaign.

Team members of campaign, pointed out that plastic bags, mats, water bottles, noodle wrappers and beverage cans continue to pollute the Himalayan environment, and they urged authorities and visitors to take stronger action to protect the region.