The region has become a focus, particularly for foreign scholars who have conducted various studies related to its geographic, geomorphological, socio-cultural and economic Aspects. The views on environmental problems in that region tend to be dominated by foreign scholars.
Local perspectives including that of local professionals and experts are significantly lacking.
Although environmental problems in the Everest region has been reported as recent as 1996, there has been no significant effort since 1991, to look at new developments and new problems. Given this background, this paper provides a Nepali's perspective on some of the most pressing environmental issues of tourism in the Everest region including garbage disposal, firewood pressure and trail degradation. In addition, it provides some insights into new social problems such as ethnic tensions owing to economic reasons, and Sherpas' growing alienation from the Nepali society in general. The paper is based on a field survey conducted between November and December 1996.