The mountainous range of Himalayan nation Nepal are gradually changing their appearance as they are caught with severity of global warming and garbage.

File photo: The Himalayas

Apa Sherpa, also known as Nepal's "Super Sherpa" who had climbed Mt. Qomolangma 8848 meters 19th time beating his own previous record said on Monday, "White part of the Mt. Qomolangma is melting exposing its rocky parts."

Apa scaled Mt. Qomolangma, the highest peak in the world for a record of 19th time on May 21. He is part of the Eco Everest (Mt. Qomolangma) Expedition which has 31 members, including 17 Nepali Sherpas and 14 foreigners.

Last year, he climbed the Mt. Qomolangma on May 22 with an aim to raise funds for a school in Thame, his village on the foot of Mt. Qomolangma. This time, he climbed the mountain to raise awareness about climate change and global warning.

Addressing a press conference on Monday organized to congratulate Apa by WWF-Nepal, Asian Trekking (P) Ltd and iDEAS, a local NGO, Apa said that he along with his team had collected 6, 000 kilograms of garbage and brought down to base camp for proper disposal.

Appa, 49, an inhabitant of Solukhumbu, some 125 km east of Nepali capital Kathmandu, the district where Mt. Qomolangma is located said, "We need to clean Mt. Qomolangma continuously to safeguard it from changing its appearance."

"Mostly tin cans, oxygen cylinder and pieces of rope were collected in garbage," said Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman of Asian Trekking. Garbage mostly left by 1960's 1970's, and 1980's expedition were collected during the campaign, he added.

In addition, wreckage parts of a Italian Army helicopter were also recovered from the edge of the Khumbu Icefall. The helicopter crashed at Camp 1 (6100 meters) in 1973, the press release issued by Asian Trekking on Monday said.

Having suffered personal loss of home and property during the Dig Tsho Glacial Lake Outbrust Flood (GLOF) on Aug. 3, 1985, Apa wants to participate in campaigns to create awareness on the high risks of GLOF and to seek international support to help mountain communities.

Apa also wishes to return as climbing leader of Eco Everest Expedition every year to continue his support for efforts to deal with climate change.

The Expedition organized by Asian Trekking focuses on climbing in an eco-sensitive manner, bringing old garbage and all human waste produced on the mountain down to base camp for proper disposal, and using highly successful alternative energy solutions during the climb, said the release.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2009)