Mountain Clean-Up Campaign 2023: Nepali Army Successfully Concludes Efforts to Restore Majestic Peaks

Kathmandu, June 7th: The fourth edition of the Mountain Clean-Up Campaign 2023, led by the Nepali Army in collaboration with various government institutions and donor organizations, has achieved remarkable success. The campaign successfully concluded with a celebratory event held at Hotel Hyatt Place on June 5th, coinciding with World Environment Day. The event brought together key stakeholders, comprising campaign partners and esteemed government officials, including Chief of Nepal Army General Prabhu Ram Sharma.

Building on the previous year's achievements of collecting over 33 tons of waste, this year's campaign surpassed expectations with a collective determination to bring down 35 tons of waste from the majestic peaks. The unwavering dedication of everyone involved in the campaign was instrumental in surpassing this ambitious goal.

The campaign commenced on March 28th and focused on the cleaning efforts of four majestic mountains—Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Annapurna, and Mt. Baruntse. A dedicated team of 97 members, including personnel from the Nepali Army and Sherpa supporters, undertook the challenging and perilous journey to collect waste from these prominent peaks.

The team's meticulous efforts resulted in collecting a staggering 35,708 kilograms of waste, which was then transported back to Kathmandu. The collected waste will undergo thorough verification and be handed over to the recycling partner Creasion for segregation, recycling, and proper waste management.

Reflecting on the initiative’s success the Campaign Director, Brigadier General Sundar Kumar Pandey of the Mountain Clean-up Campaign 2023, expressed, “We are proud to have collected over 35,708 kilograms of waste from these four prominent mountains. Despite the challenging and perilous journey due to adverse weather conditions and high altitudes, the fulfillment of completing this campaign and contributing to the preservation of our nation's pride is truly gratifying. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our environmentally responsible partners whose unwavering support helped in achieving this milestone. A special acknowledgment goes to The Coca-Cola Foundation for their continued support since the inception of this campaign."

Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, emphasized the significance of their partnership with the Mountain Clean-Up Campaign, stating, "The Coca-Cola Foundation's collaboration with the Mountain Clean-Up Campaign highlights our strong commitment towards a debris-free environment. The mountains are a natural marvel and have deep cultural significance for the citizens of Nepal. Through our humble support, we intend to help maintain the pristine condition of these mountains for generations to come. Our hope is that such initiatives should inspire climate action in Nepal and around the world."

Through the collective efforts of the Nepali Army, government institutions, donor organizations, and dedicated individuals, the campaign has made a significant impact in restoring the majestic peaks while raising awareness about the importance of effective waste management in mountainous regions. The Mountain Clean-Up Campaign 2023 sets an inspiring example of collaboration, grit, and environmental responsibility. It is a testament to the collective commitment to safeguarding Nepal's natural heritage for future generations.