Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, has always fascinated adventurers. Recently, the Nepalese government introduced new rules and a significant increase in the permit fee for climbers. The aim is to protect the mountain and its surrounding environment, ensuring that both nature and adventure can continue for many generations. New Rules for Climbing Mount Everest Starting from September, anyone wishing to climb Mount Everest during the main climbing season will have to pay just over £12,000 (about $15,000) for a permit. This is more than $4,000 higher than before. The decision was made due to concerns over overcrowding, the large amounts of rubbish left behind, and a lack of respect for the delicate mountain ecosystem. The hope is that higher fees will help fund protection efforts and reduce the number of climbers. Understanding the Impact of Tourism Climbing Mount Everest is not just a personal challenge—it can also affect the environment and local communities. When too many people visit a place, whether it’s a mountain, historic site, or wildlife area, it can cause damage or create waste. Visitors are encouraged to be responsible, which means thinking about their impact and how they can help rather than harm. Responsible Tourism: What Does It Mean? Responsible tourism is about caring for the places and people we visit. This involves actions like avoiding littering, respecting local customs, using resources wisely, and supporting local businesses. The goal is to make sure our visits don’t spoil the environment or the community for future visitors. Examples and Experiences Think about trips you’ve taken—maybe to a park, a historic site, or even on holiday abroad. How did you make sure you left a positive impact? For example, some tourists join litter cleanups, use reusable bottles, or buy from local markets. Even small choices, such as where to stay or what souvenirs to buy, can make a real difference. Challenges of Climbing Everest Climbing Everest is physically demanding and expensive. It involves trekking for months, facing dangerous conditions like altitude sickness, and managing waste. Some climbers have sadly left rubbish behind, affecting the beauty and health of the environment. New rules for biodegradable bags and higher fees aim to address these challenges. Reflection: What Can We Learn? Travel gives us the chance to learn about new places and cultures. It’s an opportunity to understand the world better. But with this privilege comes responsibility. By showing respect and kindness to both nature and local people, we can ensure that special places like Mount Everest remain unspoiled. Classroom Activities and Discussion Ideas Organize a litter cleanup around school, inspired by cleanups on Everest. Separate out items that can be recycled. Create a picture of Mount Everest at sunrise or sunset using watercolours, pastels, or crayons. Write a diary entry as a responsible tourist, describing how your actions help protect the places you visit. Make a travel bucket list: choose 3–5 destinations you’d love to visit, find them on a map, and learn one responsible travel tip for each place. Discuss in class: Should there be limits on the number of tourists at special places like Everest? How can rules help protect these locations? Reflect on your travel experiences: Have you noticed any efforts to protect the environment or local community in the places you’ve visited? Vocabulary Corner Limit: A rule that sets a maximum number to prevent too many people or things in one place. Overcrowded: When too many people are in one place, making it uncomfortable or unsafe. Peak: The high point of a mountain; some mountains have several peaks. Peak Season: The time of year when a place gets the most visitors. Summit: The highest point of a mountain. Trek: A long and challenging journey, often on foot. Final Thoughts Climbing Mount Everest, like all forms of travel, comes with responsibilities. Through learning more about the places we visit and making thoughtful choices, we can enjoy the adventure and help protect destinations for everyone in the future. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
