Sagarmatha Park (Mt Everest) porter survey and analysis

Porters are significant components in the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) (Mount Everest) economy and landscape as they directly and indirectly support tourism. There is, however, very little systematically collected information on SNP porters. To better understand the role of these silent partners to tourists, a questionnaire was conducted to collect information on their profiles, activities, concerns and pressures on the environment. The questionnaire results provide useful base line information and results have also been incorporated into system dynamics models to evaluate management options within the Park. The porters are almost entirely male (98%), relatively young and have low educational levels with only 7% being literate in both Nepali and English. Being a porter is the primary income for over 50% with farming being the largest alternative income. Most of the porters do not share the common language, religion or customs of the traditional Sherpa residents of SNP potentially leading to increased cultural stresses. The issue of greatest concern for the porters is shelter (40%) followed by trail improvement, water and equipment at about 15% each. The primary environmental concerns associated with the porters are disposal of human waste and firewood consumption.