Situated in the Northeastern region of Nepal, facing Mount Everest, Khumbu Valley is a hotspot for trekking and other adventure activities with camps catering to the tourist's needs and wants. At the Everest Base Camp the amenities range from general to luxurious for premium clients. Special tents with furniture and adjoining bathrooms, spacious lounge areas, bakeries, and massage parlours - although it all sounds nice, there is going to be a set of regulations laid out for these camps to preserve the local culture, environment, lifestyle, and economy.

The&nbsp;Khumbu-Pasang Lhamu village municipality in the Valley teamed up with the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Nepal’s Department of Tourism, and the Army and issued a public statement laying out rules to be followed by the visitors. While some rules still need to be ironed out, according to Dawa Steven Sherpa, a new tourism bill will be tabled in Parliament soon. <ul><li>Mountain Climbers will need to carry wag bags and bring down their excrement from the mountain. [For thorough waste management to uphold the ecological integrity]</li><li>The size of tents will be decreased, especially the huge dining tents.</li><li>Ensuite bathrooms will be taken away.</li><li>The number of tents per camp will be reduced, and the flashing lights will no longer be used.</li><li>All commercial activities other than the trek expeditions will not be allowed in Base Camp.</li><li>Tourists who are not climbing the Mountain or part of the local staff will not be allowed to stay at the camp overnight.</li><li>Helicopter services will only be permitted for rescue operations and emergency evacuations for sick climbers. Yaks will carry gear and supplies. [To support the practice of yak herding instead of airlifting]</li></ul> Most of these rules might cause complications and problems as the Everest tour package and the exclusive camp are already booked for this season with the previous Everest trek cost and visitors are still expecting the former services.All the rules, with still room for modifications, will be applied this season at the base camps in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Village Municipality. That means Everest/Lhotse/Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Taboche, Cholatse, Cho Oyu (south side), Island Peak, and Lobuche.

New Rules at Everest Base Camp

Nepal

Kalyani Lanke 22 Feb 2024

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