The Nepalese government plans to move the Mount Everest base camp from the Khumbu glacier, which is being observed to be melting. Worse, one of the causes of the melting of the glacier is because of human urine.
A study shows that the Khumbu glacier, beneath which is the base camp of Everest for climbers who will climb the world's highest mountain, is melting rapidly.
Cracks in glaciers and chunks of ice can fall at any time. So that the base camp location is now considered no longer safe for climbers.
"We're seeing an increase in rock fall and the movement of meltwater across the glacier's surface which can be dangerous," said Scott Watson, a researcher at the University of Leeds.
Not only is the base camp worrying, other glaciers around Mount Everest also experience ice loss in just a few years, even though it can take hundreds of years to form due to climate change.
As a result of the melting of the glacier, the bodies of the predecessor climbers who were buried were exposed, as well as the garbage that was there.
Worse yet, it is not only climate change that is making glaciers melt faster. The number of people trying to conquer Mount Everest has contributed to making the glaciers there no longer frozen.
"For example, we found that people urinate about 4,000 liters in base camp every day. And large amounts of fuel, such as kerosene and gas that we burn for cooking and heating will inevitably have an impact on the ice on the glacier," said Khimlal Gautam, other research.
In comparison, 4,000 liters is equivalent to the usual water toren at home. Nepal's Ministry of Tourism is still discussing the relocation of the base camp by involving local stakeholders, including the local community who are affected by the change of the base camp.
The new Mount Everest base camp site will be at an altitude of about 200 to 400 meters lower. The place around him also lacked eternal ice.
Nepal said that if the base camp relocation goes according to plan, the new base camp can be carried out in 2024.