DJI drones to aid in Everest cleanup

This autumn, Nepal will deploy heavy-lifter drones to transport garbage from Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) and later on Everest, marking the first commercial use of drones in Nepal’s high-altitude zone. These drones from China, from Da Jiang Innovations (DJI), will take over tasks traditionally done by Sherpas, reducing casualties on Everest.

A tripartite MoU was signed by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and Airlift Technology Pvt Ltd to use advanced drone technology for efficient garbage management in the Khumbu region. In April, DJI conducted a successful drone delivery test on Everest, proving the DJI FlyCart 30 can airlift 234 kg per hour between Camp I and Base Camp, a task typically requiring 14 porters in six hours.

Despite concerns over job loss, officials emphasize the drones’ role in reducing potential deaths in the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. Sherpas will be trained to handle tasks at higher camps. In the trial phase, the drone lifted 30 kg from Camp I but only 18 kg from Camp II. A commercial agreement with DJI will follow, and the municipality will oversee activities, having already spent Rs800,000 on the trial.

Climate change is exposing more garbage and bodies on Everest, posing severe health risks. This spring, nearly 100 tonnes of waste were collected, with 77.19 tonnes from the Everest base camp alone. Since 2015, climbers must return with 8 kg of garbage, backed by a $4,000 deposit refunded upon compliance. The Supreme Court has mandated the regulation of expeditions to manage traffic jams and rising trash on Everest.

Drones offer a safer alternative to helicopters for transporting supplies, expanding UAV applications. The April tests used DJI FlyCart 30 to deliver oxygen and supplies to Camp I and carry garbage down, reaching up to 6,191.8 meters on Everest.