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KATHMANDU, June 7: Climate change is increasingly threatening the safety and sustainability of mountaineering in the Himalayas, climbers and experts warned at a World Environment Day program in Kathmandu.
Everest climber Tenzing David Sherpa said rising temperatures have pushed the snowline on Mount Everest higher, making traditional climbing routes more unstable and technically challenging. He also noted that rapid ice melt in the Khumbu Icefall has led to the formation of streams and small flowing channels, further increasing risks for climbers.
Sherpa recalled that in earlier expeditions, climbers needed crampons at lower elevations, whereas now they must ascend significantly higher before encountering suitable icy terrain. He stressed that climate change has become a major threat to both safety and sustainability in high-altitude mountaineering.
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Glaciologist Arun Bhakta Shrestha highlighted that rising global temperatures, air pollution, and biodiversity loss are accelerating environmental changes in mountain regions. He warned of heavier rainfall, thawing permafrost, and increasing erosion, all of which are intensifying risks to human life, wildlife, and infrastructure in high-altitude areas.
Representatives from government and development agencies also raised concerns about the broader impact of climate change. Officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Forests and Environment noted that shifting climate patterns are affecting tourism, agriculture, livestock grazing, and rural livelihoods in mountain communities.
UNDP Nepal climate expert United Nations Development Programme emphasized the urgency of implementing global commitments such as net-zero emission targets, while stressing that climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are interconnected global challenges.
Speakers at the event called for stronger cooperation among governments, civil society, and international partners, along with greater public awareness and action to mitigate climate risks in the Himalayan region.
