The avalanche has drawn attention from all sectors of Nepalese society to the scale of the mountaineering business and raised concerns about the safety of Sherpa guides. This year, 334 climbers from around the world obtained permits to climb Everest, each costing $10,000 (approximately 62,300 RMB), and with additional fees, Kathmandu (the capital of Nepal) has earned substantial revenue from Everest expeditions. However, if these expeditions are canceled, the Kathmandu government will have to refund the fees.
“We have never had a precedent like this,” Madhu Sudan Burlakoti, spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, told reporters. “If the expedition organizers also want their taxes refunded, we really don’t know what to do. So, we will have careful discussions on this issue before making a decision.”
The Nepalese government has decided to pay $400 to the family of each deceased Sherpa victim, which is only enough to cover funeral expenses, and the Sherpas are furious about this.
Some expedition leaders, politicians, and Sherpa leaders have reached a consensus and decided to persuade the government to increase compensation for mountain guides. The Sherpas believe that they take on a large amount of risk for a small amount of money, and the disparity is unjust.
A Sherpa named Mingma Sherpa warned that if the government continues to ignore the safety and rights of the Sherpas, they may stop participating in mountaineering activities altogether. “Sherpas are the backbone of Everest expeditions, yet the government always overlooks them. We strongly urge the government to take immediate measures to support the families of the affected Sherpas, and we also hope the government establishes a long-term mechanism to protect our rights.”
The Sherpas are an ethnic minority living near the China-Nepal border. In 1953, Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa, and New Zealander Edmund Hillary became the first people to reach the summit of Everest, although Sherpas had already been guiding foreign climbers prior to that.
Due to the large number of climbers, the slopes of the mountain have been under excessive pressure. Last year, three European climbers were threatened by an avalanche. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism has established government liaison officers and security personnel to ensure the safety of climbers.
The Sherpas are angry about these climbers’ expeditions, especially the younger generation, whose relationship with foreign commercial expedition leaders has become increasingly tense. Among the victims of Friday’s avalanche was Dorje Khatri, who had been a defender of Sherpa rights.