K2 and Baltoro cleaned from 8 tonnes of waste

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Karakorum Trust and the Pakistan Alpine Club have been organizing for years the "Clean Up Baltoro Expedition" over the most famous Karakorum glacier. But so far, the cleaning has concerned only base camps. Since this year, it is concerning even the higher camps. The first results of this project were presented two days ago in Islamabad, during a press conference orgainzed by the Pakistan Alpine Club and EvK2Cnr Committee, attended by Agostino Da Polenza, chairman of EvK2Cnr, Maurizio Gallo, technical manager of Karakorum Trust, and the Italian ambassador in Pakistan Vincenzo Prati. "We have collected about 8 tons of waste - says Maurizio Gallo, Karakorum Trust technical manager -. Six of these have already been brought to the "eco-island” we created near the Askole village. Two tons of waste have already been burned by Earth, the ecological incinerator we have built and installed there with the support of the Italian company Actelios (Falck Group). Since now, the incinerator has worked well for 4 hours per day". Earth and the "eco-island” are 5 kilometers far from Askole, 3200 m.a.s.l. Near the incinerator there are 3 stores for the waste and around it there is a "green area” that will be sawed with trees. This disposal, tested three years ago in Italy, was finalized in Askole last May. It is designed to work in extreme conditions, with lack of oxygen and electricity. The cleaning of the glacier is coordinated by a Pakistani team of ecological workers that trains the porters of the expeditions visiting the area and gives information to the people. This team has headquarters at the Concordia Circus, 4700 meters. "Our 6 ecological operators are working very well – Gallo says – They are carrying out an effective information campaign to the cooks and the porters of the expeditions, teaching them how to collect waste for recycling and how to bring them to Askole. Earth can burn plastic and non-recyclable materials in Pakistan. The other waste, such cans, glass and toxic materials or batteries, are brought to Skardu”. The initiative has been a huge success. The Pakistani soldiers began to work cleaning their camps scattered along the glacier, and the Environmental Protection agency NA has asked Karakorum Trust to collaborate at this campaign. Moreover, all those who pass through Askole notice that something has changed. "We are cleaning also the Askole village - Gallo says -. Everyday, we carry all the waste to the "eco-island” and now the village is very clean. Every trekker is amazed in noticing how village, always considered a very dirty place, has changed. Our "Askole house museum", inaugurated last May, has been already visited by 200 visitors who left enthusiastic comments about work done by the Italians". Karakorum Trust have been working for years for the environmental protection of this area, carrying out cleaning expeditions, reforestation, protection of cultural heritage and health education. Now the project has moved forward, tackling the waste disposal and recycling. Waste, here, is a big problem for the high numbers of tourists visiting the Karakorum: in 2008, 95 mountaineering expeditions and 5000 trekking came to this area. Karakorum trust is carrying out many other projects aimed at the implementation of the Central Karakorum National Park, dreamed by Ardito Desio, chief of the 1954 Italian expedition that first climbed K2 and EvK2Cnr founder. During the press conference in Islamabad, the Ambassador Vincenzo Prati underlined the excellent work that EvK2Cnr has been doing for years in the Northern Areas, working with constant presence, commitment and together with local partner for the development of these lands, giving actual contributions in many fields, above all environmental preservation and management, sustainable tourism, training and research. Ambassador Prati also announced that in a few months a new project will start: SEED (Social, Economic and Environmental Development in the Cknp and buffer zones - Northern Areas, Pakistan). This project, promoted by EvK2Cnr in collaboration with the Karakorum International University, was born as a result of the "debt conversion agreement" just signed by Italy and Pakistan, which allocates funds for development initiatives and against poverty. It is a multi sectorial project for the socio-economic and environmental development of the Central Karakorum National Park, which will convey many of the other initiatives promoted by EvK2Cnr in the Northern Areas (Share, Hkkh and Karakorum Trust). The project, which is characterized by a strong interdisciplinary approach and the participation of many local stakeholders and international partners, is just aimed at continuing what Evk2cnr is already doing for integrated development of the Cknp, by promoting initiatives based on the potential of these territories and populations, and with actual and long lasting impact.

Francesca Steffanoni - Communications & External Relations Manager Comitato EvK2Cnr - High Altitude Scientific and Technological Research