Our most recent Community Project in the Everest Region has been to establish a Propogation Nursery at Ghaat Village, one hour north of Lukla. Our Youth to Everest trekkers in April 2009 assisted with the construction of the nursery and the planting of the first 5,000 blue pine seeds. These seeds have germinated and are currently growing in the controlled nursery environment. Our aim is to plant a further 5,000 seeds each year, and after 3 years the planting out of the young trees will commence.
The pressure on the forests of the Everest Region has grown with the increasing tourism to the area; firewood remains the principal fuel source for cooking and heating. The undergrowth has also been decimated, and as a consequence there is a siginificantly reduced proportion of the forest that is regrowing naturally. We hope through our partnership with the local sherpa communities to redress this imbalance.
Over many years we have been involved with a varity of other community projects in the Everest region. These projects have been borne out of a care for the people and the environment of the area. 10% of all profits of Everest Treks are committed to such community projects.
Some of the projects Everest Treks have supported include:
- First ever clean-up of rubbish from Everest Base Camp
- Clean up of rubbish at Namche Bazaar
- Installation of solar panels in selected lodges
- Establishment of Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee
- Donation of books to Sano Gumela School
- Construction of toilet block at Sano Gumela School
- Social Studies programme for Sano Gumela School
- Donation of chemical analyser to Lukla Hospital
We have also supported many Sherpa families with:
- Rice supply
- Farm labour assistance
- Greenhouses for vegetable growing
- Education & schooling
- Clothing
- Water supply
- Bridge building
- Medical assistance
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