Everest Cleanup Campaign Launched: Nepal Life & Round Table Nepal
28th March 2025, Kathmandu
Nepal Life Insurance Company Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Round Table Nepal under the Project Care Campaign to collect waste accumulated on Mount Everest.
Everest Cleanup Campaign Launched
At a special ceremony held today at Global College, Kathmandu, the MoU was signed by Praveen Raman Parajuli, CEO of Nepal Life Insurance, and Pravesh Agarwal, President of Round Table Nepal.
The event was inaugurated with the lighting of a traditional lamp (Panas) by CEO Praveen Raman Parajuli, Deputy CEO Amit Kumar Kayal, Round Table Nepal President Pravesh Agarwal, Immediate Past President Nitesh Kumar Agarwal, and Chhiring Sherpa, a representative from the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC)—the campaign’s technical partner.
Commitment to Environmental Responsibility
Speaking at the event, CEO Parajuli emphasized that Mount Everest is Nepal’s pride and a global treasure, making its conservation essential. Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Nepal Life is collaborating with Round Table Nepal and SPCC to carry out the Everest Cleanup Campaign.
Round Table Nepal’s President Pravesh Agarwal stated that the organization aims to collect 5,000 kg of waste from Everest this time and plans to manage 25,000 kg in the future. He reaffirmed the organization’s ongoing commitment to education, health, and environmental initiatives.
Addressing the Growing Waste Problem
Immediate Past President Nitesh Kumar Agarwal pointed out that Everest, a global attraction, has seen an increasing number of climbers, leading to rising waste accumulation. While both the Nepal Government and international organizations have been making cleanup efforts, the impact has not been entirely effective. He expressed confidence that this initiative would bring significant positive change.
As part of the campaign, biodegradable waste will be disposed of below the base camp, while non-biodegradable waste will be packed into 30 kg bags and transported to Kathmandu. Agarwal thanked Nepal Life for supporting this initiative, emphasizing that small efforts lead to a significant impact.
Importance of Timely Action
SPCC Representative Chhiring Sherpa welcomed the campaign, acknowledging that while it is long overdue, its launch is still a positive step forward. He noted that international media have started reporting negatively on Everest’s pollution problem, and this effort will play a crucial role in addressing the issue.
Although Nepal’s government has mandated that every climber bring back at least 1 kg of waste, a permanent solution is yet to be achieved.
Preventing Everest from Becoming the “World’s Highest Garbage Dump”
Nepal Life’s Deputy CEO Amit Kumar Kayal highlighted that while thousands of climbers visit Everest each year, human activities have turned it into a dumping ground. Abandoned tents, oxygen cylinders, food packaging, human waste, and mountaineering gear are often left behind, posing a serious threat to the environment.
This collaboration aims to ensure that Everest does not become the “world’s highest garbage dump” but remains a pristine symbol of natural beauty and adventure.
Strong Media Presence and CSR Initiatives
The event saw the active participation of Nepal Life employees, Round Table Nepal officials, and a large number of media representatives.
Nepal Life Insurance has been conducting various CSR programs nationwide, reinforcing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
For more: Everest Cleanup Campaign Launched
