BEIJING — With the debris of more than 50 years of climbing — oxygen canisters, tents, backpacks and even some bodies — Mount Everest has been called the world’s highest garbage dump.
Now, China is moving to clean up its northern side of the mountain and protect its Himalayan environment, announcing a trash collection campaign that could limit the number of climbers and other visitors in 2009.
Everest’s 29,035-foot peak — the world’s tallest — lies on the border between China and Nepal, with climbers providing a large source of income for both countries.
Last year, more than 40,000 people visited the mountain from the Chinese side, which is located in Tibet, the China Daily newspaper said.
Conservationists estimate they could have left behind as much as 120 tons of garbage, or about 6 pounds per tourist, the paper said.
