According to Nepalese authorities, climbers must purchase waste bags from the base camp which will be checked upon their return.
Mountaineers who climb Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, are required to bag their waste and bring it back to base camp.
Officials in Nepal finally took action on the problem of waste that climbers leave behind on the mountains.
The new regulation was introduced after growing complaints about the amount of human waste on mountain trails.
Due to the extremely low temperature, the waste on the mountain does not decompose naturally. The local municipality of Pasang Lahamu announced that climbers must purchase special waste bags from the base camp which will be 'checked upon their return.'
This rule will apply to climbers of Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse, which are connected to Everest via the South Col mountain pass.
The problem of human waste has been a concern for Nepalese authorities for years as more and more mountaineering permits are issued each year, increasing the number of people on the mountain.
Such regulations have already been successfully implemented on other mountains, such as Mount Denali in Alaska, and have reportedly been welcomed by expedition organizers on Everest.
Officials say the new law will be introduced before the start of the mountaineering season in Nepal this year. The season starts in March and continues till May.
"We are receiving complaints that human waste is visible on the rocks and some climbers are falling ill," Mangma Sherpa, chairman of the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, told the BBC. This is not acceptable. It tarnishes our reputation.'
He added: 'Our mountains are starting to stink.'
According to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, it is estimated that about three tonnes of human waste is scattered between Base Camp One at the foot of Everest and Camp Four near the summit.
According to the committee's chief executive, Cherang Sherpa: 'Half of this waste is believed to be at South Coal, also known as Camp Four.'
'Waste is still a big problem. Especially in high altitude camps where you can't reach.'
The problem of overcrowding is still something that the authorities have to deal with. Last year, Nepal issued a record 478 permits to climb the mountain, resulting in more than 1,500 climbers, guides and support staff in the area.
The previous record was 409 permits in 2021.
The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee is reportedly buying around 8,000 bags from the US for waste. These bags will be distributed among climbers, Sherpas and support staff. Each person will be given two reusable bags.
These bags contain chemicals that solidify human waste and significantly reduce its odor.
Jonathan Reilly, director of the British expedition company, which organizes trips to Everest Base Camp, told the Telegraph newspaper: 'The presence of waste on Mount Everest is ridiculous.
'My question is, are climbers going to bring the waste bags back down the mountain or are they going to throw them away? Just like dog walkers throw away plastic bags full of their waste? This will be worse than the current situation as these bags will make the natural disposal of waste impossible.
'I suspect there will be some climbers who will use the bags and then throw them away instead of bringing them down the mountain.'
But others have shown hope. Dambar Prajoli, president of the Exhibition Operators Association of Nepal, told the BBC: 'It is definitely a positive thing and we will be happy to do our part to make it a success.'
Nepal has eight of the world's 14 highest peaks. According to Nepal's Ministry of Tourism, till May 14 last year, the government earned $5.8 million from mountain tourism and $5 million from Everest alone.
Last year also marked the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary.
Sheikha Moza inaugurates “Al-Mujadila” to enhance the role of women in society
Doha - The authorities in Qatar have launched a special center and mosque for women that allows women to develop themselves in religious and worldly affairs from a legal perspective and a comprehensive understanding of worship, while emphasizing the role of worship in contemporary life so that women’s prayer centers do not remain marginalized and secluded in a remote corner in a situation that does not befit the spiritual and faith value of the mosque, which makes it An unattractive environment for girls.
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser , Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and the Al-Majadala Foundation, opened the women’s center and mosque, representing a destination for Muslim women of all ages and backgrounds. The inauguration of “Al-Majadala” comes as an addition to the edifices launched by the Qatar Foundation for Education and Science, which is sponsored by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the mother of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Al-Mujadila was established at the initiative of Sheikha Moza bint Nasser , stressing that it aims to strengthen the Islamic identity of women and make them aware of the matters of their religion and world, personally, family and socially, by creating a space for worship and learning, and for development, guidance and devising solutions from within Islam.
In recent years, the Qatar Foundation for Education and Science has launched a number of similar projects, such as the Al-Manaratain Mosque in the heart of Education City, which includes a college for Islamic studies . The Foundation also opened the Qatar National Library , which is considered one of the most important library edifices in the world.
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser spoke about the vision of establishing “Al-Mujadala,” stressing that: “It is said in philosophy that controversy is the origin of development. Here we have learned how Khawla bint Tha’labah (may God be pleased with her) took controversy, and it was the best argument, as a way to embody her vision in her quest. To solve her problem.”
She added: “With her initiative, Khawla bint Thalabah showed courage, personal strength, and awareness that religion is an ease in this world and not the other way around. She did not stand idly by, but rather sought and searched for a solution to a problem from within her religious system, intending to preserve God’s limits within herself and her family with reason and foresight.”
The Al-Majadala Building is distinguished by its architectural design that gives additional value to the place, and contributes to shedding light on the concept of justice in worship through the establishment of a center and a mosque that allows women to develop themselves in religious and worldly affairs from a legal perspective and a comprehensive understanding of worship so that women’s prayer rooms do not remain marginalized and secluded in a remote corner. It is in a condition that does not befit the spiritual and faith value of the mosque, making it an unattractive environment for girls, according to the project sponsor.
The choice of the name was inspired by Khawla bint Thalabah, who was in her quest to be aware of her affairs and live her life with insight, so that she would be the truest expression of the Islamic perception of women and a role model for those who want to advance themselves and their society from within their religious, cultural and civilizational system.
“Al-Mujadila: A Center and Mosque for Women” was inspired by the traditional role of the mosque as a fundamental pillar upon which society is based. It was provided with classrooms, a library, gathering places, a café, and gardens, to form a unique community space for women, hosting a range of activities, and providing programs in both Arabic and English. These range from long-term courses, workshops, and sessions on Islamic history and Islamic law, psychological well-being, relationships, book clubs, training programs, and research.
The guest of honor, Dr. Omar Abdel Kafi, spoke about the role and touches of women that surround everyone.
The opening witnessed a discussion session on the importance of providing spaces for women to support Islamic identity. The discussion was moderated by Buthaina Abdul Ghani, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Abdullah Abdul Ghani Foundation for Cultural Communication “Hadara”, and participated in by Buthaina Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and Lulwah bint Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation. , Dr. Omar Abdel Kafi, Mai Al-Sayed, a social activist and researcher in the field of Islam and Islamic studies, and Kholoud Nouh, a program and influence specialist at “Al-Mujadala.”
In addition to community programs and activities, Al-Mujadila will open horizons for Islamic education and research, and the study of the Islamic religion in its historical and contemporary context. It will also represent a hub for research networking, capacity building, and intellectual exchange between scholars, practitioners, and Muslim women of all backgrounds. Al-Mujadila Research focuses on supporting research projects in three main areas: (1) Islamic texts, law, and ethics (2) Muslim women’s lives (3) Muslim women’s health and well-being.
Dr. Suhaira Siddiqui, Executive Director of Al-Mujadala and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Religious Sciences, emphasized that the center provides a destination for Muslim women from all backgrounds and walks of life to access a wide range of programs and activities designed to help navigate the many complex aspects of modern life.
The idea is to bring together a comprehensive number of resources under one roof with the aim of promoting an Islamic society in which all women participate, their participation and contributions are valued and recognized, and their interests and perspectives shape contemporary Islamic thought and public discourse.”
Al-Mujadila is a center and mosque that offers a range of religious, developmental and social programs for Muslim women of all ages and backgrounds and provides them with a space to study, interact through dialogue, and worship at the same time. Inspired by the traditional role of the mosque as the main pillar on which society is based, it was provided with classrooms, a library, a mosque, a café, gardens and multi-purpose areas.
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