Nepal is set to deploy Chinese-made drones to manage waste on Mount Everest, marking the first commercial use of drones for waste management.
The initiative, announced by China’s leading drone manufacturer Da Jiang Innovations (DJI), aims to reduce risks for Sherpas and improve waste management on the world’s tallest peak.
Operations To Start Next Year
Starting this autumn, the heavy-lifting drones will transport trash from Ama Dablam, a 6,812-meter peak near Everest, with plans to expand operations to Everest in spring 2025.
These drones were tested successfully in April and can carry up to 234 kg of waste per hour, a task that would normally require 14 porters.
Initiative is To Reduce Risk
The drones are expected to reduce dangerous trips through the hazardous Khumbu Icefall, where nearly 50 Sherpas have lost their lives since 1953.
Sherpas will be trained to operate the drones, ensuring their continued involvement in the operations to make sure they are not made jobless in the process.
