The use of some plastic products will be banned in the southern slope area of Mount Everest
China News Agency Kathmandu, August 20 (reporter Zhang Chenyi) Khumbu district of Nepal recently issued a policy: from January 1, 2020, some areas of Khumbu will prohibit the use of plastic products with a thickness of 30 microns and below, so as to improve the ecological environment in the region.
The south slope of Mount Qomolangma, the world's first peak, is in the Khumbu region. The policy was introduced because of the negative effects of plastic products on climate change, the ecological environment and the health of local residents. With about 50,000 tourists visiting the Khumbu region every year, the negative impact of plastic products is likely to increase if they are not controlled.
Under the policy, plastic bottles, bags and other products with a thickness of 30 microns or less will be banned, while those above 30 microns can continue to be used. For the convenience of local residents, the government will provide them with a choice of five types of plastic bags that meet the requirements, giving them time to dispose of non-compliant plastic products and use compliant plastic products when the new regulation is implemented.
It is reported that a similar ban was introduced 20 years ago, but for various reasons, it was not effectively enforced.
The garbage problem in the Qomolangma region has been attracting attention from the outside world. In April alone, the Nepalese army collected two tons of garbage in the Everest region, one ton of which was non-degradable.