Solutions
The financial benefits of tourism in the region do not outweigh the environmental and cultural costs to the area. If these issues are not addressed soon the damage will be irreparable. Tourists need to work with the government and the local people to fix these problems.
1. Rubbish
The government have started implementing laws that if you climb the mountain you have to bring back 8Kg of rubbish. (Bradlin. A, 2017) This is a good start to the solution. If people also used reusable containers/ drink bottles this would cut down some of the waste. There should also be spots (like at the camps) that climbers can leave some of their rubbish there on the way up, and then pick it up on the way down.
If we support local businesses and Sherpas, then the money that we spend will stay in Nepal. Sherpas have a lack of education, so if the government trained them up they would be able to run better businesses and deal with western customers.
One way to acknowledge the Sherpas is to refer to the mountain by its culturally accepted name. Everest was named after a British bureaucrat. The government should use the name it has always been known by the locals as, Chomolungma. Tourists should follow that example and by doing this it will show respect to the people and their culture.
Another way to care for the Sherpas is to set up a 'Sherpa Fund'. When a hiker wants to climb a mountain in the Himalayas, they have to pay $100 extra that goes into a collection for the Sherpas' families. This money can be given to support them when Sherpas are injured or killed when climbing. As Christians, we should care for the Sherpa's because 'God made them in His image' (Genesis 1:27)
Sherpas are known for being friendly, hospitable people. It is easy to accept the kindness they show and take for granted their help. Tourists should return this kindness by respecting the Sherpas, pay generously for services and if possible contribute or help community projects.
2. sherpas
3. Deforestation
One way of solving the problem of deforestation is for the Nepalese government to plant new a group of sustainable saplings each year. This means that there will be a continual source of wood for many years to come. Tourists visiting the area should be encouraged to avoid any activities which require wood burning. The government should also invest in alternate building, heating and cooking sources. More sustainable solutions could include having access to gas or kerosene and encouraging the use of improved building materials, such as bamboo or earth bricks.
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