Drones Deployed for Everest Garbage Cleanup: Technology to Protect Nepal’s National Pride
3rd September 2025, Kathmandu
Mount Everest, a symbol of Nepal’s natural and spiritual identity, is facing a growing threat to its delicate ecosystem: the accumulation of waste left behind by a rising number of climbers and tourists.
Mount Everest Drone Cleanup
This environmental crisis has led to an innovative and high-tech solution. In a groundbreaking initiative, drone technology is now being deployed to transport garbage from the world’s highest peak, a move that is revolutionizing waste management in the unforgiving Himalayan environment.
The project is a collaborative effort between Cymax Inc., the official distributor of BYD electric vehicles in Nepal, and a local drone company, Airlift Technology.
This partnership is not just about cleaning the mountain; it’s a testament to the power of technology to address pressing environmental challenges.
According to Cymax Inc., the ambitious goal of this campaign is to collect 1,000 kilograms of garbage from the Everest region using these advanced drones. The initiative is a local component of BYD’s global campaign, “Cool the Earth by One Degree,” which advocates for clean energy and zero-carbon emissions to combat climate change.
Sahil Shrestha, CEO of Cymax Inc., emphasized the company’s commitment to this cause as part of its corporate social responsibility. “Everest is our national pride,” Shrestha stated. “We are dedicated to using technology for its protection and to support sustainable development and a clean environment.”
This sentiment underscores a growing awareness among corporations of their role in environmental conservation, especially in a country so deeply tied to its natural landscape. The financial and technical support provided by Cymax is crucial for the success of this large-scale operation.
The technology behind this effort is as impressive as the mission itself. Milan Pandey, Director of Airlift Technology, highlighted the capabilities of the drones. They can fly at speeds of 15 meters per second and operate efficiently in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 15°C.
This level of performance is critical for the high-altitude, low-temperature environment of Everest. The impact on efficiency is staggering. Pandey explained that a task that previously took six to seven hours for a human to complete—transporting garbage from higher camps—can now be done in just one to two minutes by a drone.
Beyond efficiency, the drone-based approach is a game-changer for safety. “Many lives were lost in previous years during rope-fixing and garbage transport, especially in dangerous areas like the Khumbu Icefall,” Pandey noted.
“Now, drone technology has not only made waste collection more efficient but also safer.” This is a monumental shift, as it significantly reduces the risks faced by brave Sherpa guides and porters who have traditionally undertaken this perilous work.
The project, which is being carried out in coordination with the Everest Pollution Control Committee and the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, is currently focusing on transporting waste from the Everest Base Camp at 6,130 meters down to lower altitudes.
This is not Airlift Technology’s first foray into this field. In 2024, the company successfully collected 234 kg of waste from Camp-1 and 641 kg from Mt. Amadablam.
Building on this success, the current collaboration with Cymax Inc. has already collected 286 kg from the Everest region this season, with plans to expand the initiative to other peaks like Amadablam and Manaslu, and eventually, to other Himalayan regions and national parks.
Samir Shrestha, Marketing Chief at Cymax Inc., confirmed the ongoing efforts and the collective goal of 1,000 kilograms. He also highlighted how drone technology, which has already proven effective in high-altitude rope-fixing missions, is now equally demonstrating its potential for waste management.
The issue of garbage on Everest is a complex one, as acknowledged by Mingma David Sherpa, First Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
He pointed out that despite government regulations requiring a refundable waste management fee from climbers, the problem persists. “Collecting waste from Everest is expensive and risky, but technology has made it much easier,” he said, endorsing the use of drones.
He also suggested a more proactive policy for the future, recommending that climbers be charged a non-refundable waste management fee to ensure greater accountability for the waste they generate.
The deployment of drones for garbage collection on Mount Everest is more than just a technological feat; it is a powerful symbol of a nation’s resolve to protect its most valuable natural asset. This innovative collaboration between Cymax Inc. and Airlift Technology is paving the way for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for the Himalayas.
For more: Mount Everest Drone Cleanup
