‘There Is No Life in the Mountains Anymore’: Qatari Princess Raises Alarm Over Climate Crisis in Everest Region

Standing in the shadows of Mount Everest, Qatari royal and accomplished Everest summiteer Princess Asma Al Thani has voiced deep concern over the accelerating effects of climate change in the Himalayan region. Speaking at a climbers’ conference in Thame—a village already battered by glacial floods—Princess Thani described the state of the mountains as “lifeless” compared to her first visit in 2019.

“I climbed Everest in 2019 and was mesmerized by its beauty and vitality,” she said. “But now, I return to find bare rocks where snow once lay, blackened cliffs, and a silence that speaks of loss. There is no life in these mountains anymore.”

The conference, hosted by the Thamema Village Foundation, brought together climbers, climate scientists, local leaders, and international representatives to discuss the visible and alarming impacts of global warming on the Everest region.

Thame: A Village on the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis

Thame, a picturesque settlement nestled at high altitude, is increasingly becoming a cautionary tale of Himalayan vulnerability. In 2023, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) wreaked havoc here, displacing dozens of families, destroying power lines and severing road links. The educational system was also temporarily paralyzed.

“These are not isolated disasters,” Princess Thani stressed. “They are symptoms of a much larger, man-made emergency. And it’s not something Nepal can or should bear alone.”

She called on the international community to rally around Nepal with financial, technical, and logistical support, noting that early warning systems for floods, avalanches, and glacial outbursts must be urgently prioritized. “Timely information saves lives,” she said. “We must harness technology before nature overwhelms us.”

The Vanishing White of Everest

One of the more striking points raised during the event was the visible transformation of Everest’s iconic white facade. Climbers and researchers alike noted the increasingly exposed rock faces at higher altitudes and the rapid retreat of glaciers. According to a 2022 report from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Himalayas have been warming at a rate nearly double the global average—approximately 0.3°C per decade since the 1980s.

“Everest is no longer the white peak we remember from photos,” said a local climber. “It’s a fragile mountain now, and it needs protection, not just admiration.”

Princess Thani echoed these sentiments, saying: “Everest belongs not only to Nepal, but to the world. If we don’t act now, future generations will know it only through pictures. The time for pride has passed—what we need now is protection.”

Sagarmatha Sambad: A Platform for Global Dialogue

The event in Thame was held as part of the lead-up to Sagarmatha Sambad, Nepal’s high-level global dialogue on climate change and mountain ecosystems, scheduled for Jestha 20 (early June). Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in a message released on the occasion, welcomed the efforts of the Foundation and emphasized the importance of spreading environmental awareness ahead of the summit.

“This conference,” he said, “is not just a climbers’ gathering—it is a warning bell, a collective appeal for action.”

According to Environment Ministry sources, Sagarmatha Sambad 2025 will feature heads of state, climate scientists, and activists from across the globe to discuss policy interventions and shared responsibilities in protecting high-altitude ecosystems.

Call for Global Cooperation

The Thame conference underscored a unified message: saving the Himalayas requires cross-border collaboration. Local representatives, NGOs, and foreign mountaineering experts called for the establishment of climate-resilient infrastructure, improved weather monitoring, and sustainable tourism practices.

“The loss of snow, the increase in glacial floods, the uncertainty of weather patterns—these are not just Nepal’s problems,” said a representative from the Nepal Mountaineering Association. “These are warnings to the entire world.”

A Final Plea from the Princess

Princess Thani closed her address with an emotional appeal: “The mountains are not just physical formations—they are our soul. When the snow melts, so does our future. It is our shared duty to protect them. If Everest falls, so does our faith in our ability to fix this planet.”

Her words lingered in the cold Himalayan air—poignant, personal, and urgent. As the conference concluded, the participants departed with a renewed sense of mission: that the highest peaks on Earth must also become the highest priorities in the global climate agenda.

Subash Darnal / RSS