After the death of Hyderabad-based tech professional Arun Kumar Tiwari, the deadbody has been left on Everest.
Hyderabad’s tech professional Arun Kumar Tiwari conquered Everest. His health deteriorated on his return. Vomited blood. Despite many efforts of the Sherpas, his breathing stopped within no time. His family has decided that they will leave the body in the Himalayas. The family took this decision based on faith. He believes that he was a devotee of Shiva and now he will remain with Lord Shiva. The economic challenges in bringing the body from Everest are also tremendous. More than Rs 1 crore was first demanded from Arun Tiwari’s family to bring down the body. Then there was a demand of Rs 94 lakh. This amount is not small for anyone. It is not easy for any family to collect this immediately. Probably this is also why people agree to leave the body there.
Everest is the highest peak in the world. Many people climb here every year. Every year many people are unable to return. Their dead bodies are often left there. Therefore, Arun Tiwari’s case is neither the first nor the last. Above eight thousand meters on Everest is called death zone. There is very little oxygen here. It is very cold. The wind blows fast. The dead bodies freeze in the snow.
Come, let us try to know on this pretext that after the death of those who climb Everest, why do people usually leave their bodies there? Who decides whether to bring the body or not? If it has to be brought down, then who does the work of bringing the body down?
Altitude, adverse weather and body weight problems
It is a very difficult task to bring down the dead body. The weight of a dead body with snow increases to one and a half quintals. The climbers themselves are tired. They have to wear oxygen masks. Lifting a dead body can be fatal. Many times people from the rescue team also die here. Even the weather does not cooperate. Good weather lasts for a very short time. It is impossible to transport the dead body in bad weather. That’s why most of the dead bodies remain there.
Deceased Arun Kumar Tiwari.
What do the family members think?
If we take the case of Arun Tiwari as an example, then it is his family’s decision that the body should not be brought down. It is not at all easy for them but they have surrendered before faith and trust. Many times family members want the last rites of their loved one to be performed at home. But they know that bringing back a dead body is very dangerous. The climbers fill the form in advance. It is written in it that if I die then leave my body there. Some families say it is an honor to take their last breaths in the Himalayas. They believe that Everest is a sacred place.
Who are the people working on deadbody?
The work of bringing down the deadbody is mainly done by Sherpas. Sherpas are local people. They help climbers in climbing the mountain. They find the dead bodies and take them away. Nepal Army also helps. They run clean-up campaigns. In this, both garbage and dead bodies are removed. There are also some professional rescue teams. They work with expedition companies. Their people are given special training. Still, Sherpas also help them. Sometimes foreign guides also help.
How is it decided whether to bring the body or not?
This decision is not easy for any family. In most cases the dead body is left there. Among some of the main reasons for this, the most important is security. The second reason is religious faith. The third and most important reason is the economic situation. Many times information is received about bringing down a dead body. This is possible only when the weather is good and the team is ready. Needless to say, the teams that do this work also put their lives at risk. But, they take this risk for money. It often costs around Rs 1 crore to bring back a dead body. If the dead body is in the death zone then it is very difficult to bring it back.
The weight of a dead body with snow increases to one and a half quintals. Photo: Pixabay
How is the decision taken?
The decision to bring the body depends on many things. Safety is seen first. If there is a danger to the rescue team, the body is not taken. Second, the family’s opinion is taken. If the family asks, an effort is made. Third, weather and time are observed. The work starts only when there is good weather. Fourth, the arrangement of money is seen. The expedition company or family pays. If the Everest climber has insurance cover, then many times the insurance company bears this financial burden. However, insurance and legal regulations are observed. Nepal government rules also apply.
Large number of dead bodies on Everest
According to available data, several hundred people have died on Everest. More than two hundred dead bodies are still lying there. During bus clean-up, the body is removed from the roads. So that they are not visible to people. When the snow starts melting, dead bodies are coming out. Are also visible to people. That’s why Nepali Army runs clean-up campaign.
Also know the stories of Green Boots and Sleeping Beauty
Green Boots (from Wang Paljor): The name of the famous mountaineer named Green Boots was Wang Paljor, who was a resident of Ladakh, India. He was a member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Paljor was caught in the famous and devastating storm that occurred while climbing Mount Everest on May 10, 1996, which also took the lives of many other people. He was identified by the bright neon green shoes he wore. He was found dead near a cave on the North-East Passage and his body remained there for almost two decades, becoming a landmark for other climbers attempting the climb.
Sleeping Beauty (Francis Arsentiev): America-based mountaineer Francis Arsentiev is called Sleeping Beauty. On May 22, 1998, she became the first American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. However, while descending, she got separated from her husband and got stuck just below the summit due to extreme cold and fatigue. After her death, her body remained in the same position for years on the path leading to the summit, earning her the name Sleeping Beauty. In 2007, under a special operation called Tao of Everest, his body was dignified and buried away from the main path so that it could be out of the sight of climbers.
Also read: Neither Karnataka nor Tamil Nadu, where is the village of snakes in India?
