Glacier damage threatens trekking, tourism at Annapurna Base Camp

KATHMANDU - Melting glaciers have eroded huge swathes of land in the Annapurna Base Camp over the years, casting a shadow over the prospects of trekking in the region.

Soil erosion caused by melting glaciers has posed a direct threat to four hotels in the region so far. Yet no study has been conducted to contain the destruction.

"Around 40 years ago, there used to a grass field here and cattle used to graze on the land," said Jagan Gurung, pointing to the land which has been destroyed by glaciers over the years. Gurung's father had established the first hotel at the base camp in the 1970s.