DHAKA: Climbers scaling Mount Everest will have to bring back eight kilograms of garbage under new rules designed to clean up the world’s highest peak.

A Nepalese official said on Monday, reports The Straits Times.

The rule, one of several new measures for mountaineering in the Himalayan nation, will apply to climbers ascending beyond Everest’s base camp from April onwards, said tourism ministry official Madhusudan Burlakoti.

‘The government has decided in order to clean up Mount Everest, each member of an expedition must bring back at least eight kilos of garbage, apart from their own trash,’ he said.

Burlakoti said authorities would take legal action against climbers who failed to comply with the new rule, although it was unclear whether this would involve a fine or other penalty.

BDST: 1630 HRS, MAR 02, 2014