Kathmandu, Sept. 30 -- Nepal is preparing to unveil a five-year Everest cleaning strategy, following a Supreme Court order, as the world's highest peak-often called Earth's tallest garbage dump-struggles under decades of waste.

Experts say the alarming amount of waste collected each season underscores the urgent need for sustainable mountaineering practices. Melting snow and ice caused by climate change further exposes previously buried garbage and even human remains, worsening contamination of the watershed and posing health risks to downstream communities.

A draft of the Clean Mountain Strategy (2025-2029), obtained by the Post, proposes a Rs308 million fund for Everest clean-up efforts.

But insiders say the real cost will exceed Rs1...