【轻松英文阅读】登山者引起的环境污染

 It has been more than 60 years since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed to the summit of Everest. The summit was a lonely and pristine¹ place in those days. These days, however, the summit is a busy place. Almost 4, 000 people have climbed to the summit in the past 60 years, and most of them in the past decade. Along with all the people has come the problems that people bring, like garbage. It has been estimated that there are over 50 tons of garbage on Everest. Plastic bottles, clothes, ropes, damaged tents and oxygen canisters are only a few examples. Sadly, the highest mountain in the world has become the highest garbage dump in the world.

 

The Tourism Ministry² of Nepal has decided³ to do something about the problem. From the next climbing season climbers will be required to collect and bring trash back down with them to base camp— to be precise eight kilograms per climber. Those who do not comply with the new regulations will be fined or face some other legal action.

 

If the campaign works, they plan to expand it to other peaks in Nepal.

 

I am all for it. I know it really upsets me when I see litter on my hiking trips. How about you? What do you think?

1 pristine   

adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的

参考例句：

• He wiped his fingers on his pristine handkerchief.他用他那块洁净的手帕擦手指。
• He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.他本不想去玷污那清白的过去。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。