The Nepali Army successfully removed 11,000 kg of waste from the mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, as part of their Mountain Clean-Up campaign in 2024. This initiative, carried out under the slogan “An endeavour to save the Himalayas,” also resulted in the recovery of four human bodies and one skeleton. The campaign’s achievements were commemorated on World Environment Day during a flag-in ceremony held in Kathmandu.
Chief of the Army Staff, Prabhu Ram Sharma, addressed the closing ceremony, emphasizing that the campaign’s significance goes beyond the amount of garbage collected. He acknowledged the challenging conditions under which the campaign was conducted and highlighted the broader achievements of the initiative. Sharma stated, “Despite the adverse weather and conditions, approximately 11 tons of garbage, four abandoned human bodies, and one skeleton were collected during this campaign. This is an achievement mission as well as a readiness mission in which we have demonstrated our ability to complete our work in accordance with the goals and objectives we have established and accepted.”
Sharma stressed that the campaign’s importance is not solely measured by the quantity of waste collected during its 55-day duration. He noted that the campaign reflects the Nepali people’s international commitment to nature and environmental protection, which is a source of pride for all Nepalis. He also highlighted the exemplary use of 10,000 troops for environmental protection in a country with nearly 100,000 troops, underscoring the rarity of deploying the army for nature conservation tasks.
The Chief of the Army Staff mentioned that the Nepali Army’s involvement in the Safa Himal campaign has trained them to deal with calamities and other situations in the high Himalayas. He acknowledged the complexity, challenges, and adventurous nature of running such a clean-up campaign, especially as many mountains are now melting due to climate change.
This initiative demonstrates Nepal’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and tackling environmental challenges in the high Himalayas, contributing to global efforts in environmental conservation and climate action.
