A group of environmentalists plans to pick up the trash left
behind by those who have scaled Qomolongma--known in the West as
Mount Everest--in September. Qomolongma is the world's highest
peak.
Multinationals such as Amway and Motorola will take part in the
project, which is aimed at raising awareness of environmental
protection and prevent further pollution on the mountain.
Gao Dengyi, president of the China Association for Scientific
Expedition, said human activity on the mountain has threatened its
delicate ecological balance.
"We have detected increasing amounts of contaminating substances
on the snowcap," Gao said at a weekend press conference in Beijing,
jointly organized by his association and the Sports Bureau of Tibet
Autonomous Region.
Gao said data collected by scientists shows that contaminants
such as DDT and lead are appearing in greater amounts as
expeditions to the peak have become increasingly popular in recent
years.
From 1921 to 1960, only 15 groups ascended Qomolongma. But in
1998 alone, about 20,000 tourists reached the region.
An estimated 615 tons of waste were left on the mountain between
1921 and 1999. In recent years, the amount of waste has been
growing by 45 tons annually.
To prevent further pollution, a group of nearly 100 volunteers
plan to clear waste left in the areas higher than 6,500 meters
above sea level.
Amway, one of major sponsors of the event, said the company
launched a nationwide campaign last year to clear up China's famous
mountains and rivers.
"To prevent Qomolongma from being further polluted is the goal
of the campaign," said Audie Wong, president of Amway (China).
Wong said the company has already supported Chinese scientists'
research in Antarctic and Arctic regions.
Qun Zeng, head of the sports bureau, said the local government
will mobilize more forces to take part in the environmental event
and clear up the waste as soon as possible.
(China Daily June 7, 2004)