Environmental Observations of Solid Waste Management at High Altitude in Nepal: Case Study Along Trekking Route in Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park faces significant solid waste management challenges due to the high volume of visitors—over 30,000 annually—along its trekking routes from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. The study highlights that plastics, cans, bottles, and papers are prevalent, with inadequate waste solutions in lodges, hotels, and restaurants. Key factors contributing to this issue include a lack of environmental awareness, limited public participation, and insufficient understanding of the complex mountain ecosystem's long-term impacts on tourism. Conducted by Nepalese and Swedish researchers in April 2010, the study identifies critical gaps in current waste management practices despite ongoing efforts by agencies like the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and NGOs. Recommendations from this research aim to address these challenges and improve sustainable waste management strategies for the region.

Manandhar, D. R., Hansson, H., Svensson, H., Hogland, W., Mårtensson, L., Mathiasson, L., & Khanal, S. N. (2017). Environmental Observations of Solid Waste Management at High Altitude in Nepal: Case Study Along Trekking Route in Sagarmatha National Park. Linnaeus Eco-Tech, 421–428. https://doi.org/10.15626/eco-tech.2010.045