Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Nepal Scraps Everest Clean-Up Fee Scheme
Nepal has decided to stop a plan where climbers had to pay $4000 to clean up Mount Everest.
This plan didn't work because it was hard to check if climbers were really cleaning up the mountain.
Now, Nepal has a new plan with special clean-up teams, drones, and tracking systems.
Climbers will still have to pay a fee, but the money will go directly to a fund for keeping the mountain clean.
Experts say this new plan might be too late, but the government hopes it will help.
They also raised the fees for climbing permits and made sure there are enough guides for each climber.
Nepal is replacing its refundable waste deposit scheme for Everest climbers due to its failure in reducing waste.
The new strategy includes a Mountain Welfare Fund, Mountain Rangers, drones, and GPS tracking for waste management.
Climbers will pay a non-refundable environmental fee of $4,000, in addition to a refundable garbage deposit.
Permit fees for climbing Everest have been raised, with stricter guide-to-climber ratios implemented.
Experts believe the new plan may be too late, as the proposed fund is estimated to exceed Rs 1 billion over five years.
- Who
- Nepal government, climbers, tourism ministry, mountaineering department, Expedition Operators Association Nepal
- What
- Scrapping of the old waste deposit scheme and introduction of a new clean-up strategy for Mount Everest
- When
- The new strategy was launched last month, with the old scheme being in place for over a decade
- Where
- Mount Everest, Nepal
- Why
- The old scheme failed to reduce waste accumulation due to administrative difficulties and lack of monitoring at higher altitudes
- Old Deposit Scheme
- $4000 refundable deposit for 8 kg waste return
- New Strategy
- Mountain Welfare Fund, Mountain Rangers, drones, GPS tracking
- Climber Waste
- 12 kg per climber during six-week expedition
- Permit Fees
- $15,000 (general), $2,750 (winter/monsoon), $7,500 (autumn)
- Guide-to-Climber Ratio
- 1:2 for peaks above 8,000 metres, 1:15 for below
- Clean Mountain Strategy Fund
- Rs 308 million proposed, Rs 1 billion estimated
- Success Certificates Issued
- 719