There is new rule about going to toilet on Mount Everest. People climbing world's highest peak will now have to take their own poo back to Base Camp. There has been increase in the number of climbers on mountain. This has led to problem of human waste being left on the slopes. Mingma Sherpa, local official, told the BBC: "Our mountains have begun to stink." He added: "We are getting complaints that human stools are visible on rocks, and some climbers are falling sick. This is not acceptable. It damages our image." The new rule requires climbers to buy bio-degradable "poop bag". They can dispose of bag and its contents when they come down from mountain. It will be "checked" by workers there.
problem of waste, litter and pollution on Mt Everest has been growing for years. Many people leave camping equipment on slopes. Thousands of discarded cans of oxygen litter the mountain. environmental organization estimated that there was around three tons of human poo between Base Camp and summit of Everest. Much of this freezes and does not degrade. The India Today website said poop bags will help with waste problem. It wrote: "It is hoped that this measure, along with ongoing clean-up campaigns, will help restore dignity of this iconic peak." It added that waste bags would, "safeguard health of both climbers and local environment".
