Trail degradation caused by human and tourists’ pack animals in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal

Abstract

Sagarmatha National Park, located in eastern Nepal, is one of the largest trekking destinations in the Himalaya. Increasing number of tourists (trekkers and expedition climbers) and pack animals that transport loads of tourists as well as lodges and restaurants has impacted on trail conditions, leading to severe soil erosion. This study examined the trail conditions by Google Earth images and by 3D mapping of the trails using UAV.