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Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP)

A letter from P.T. Sherpa, executive director of KEEP

In February 1991 two British women -- Jo Chittenden and Tracy Taylor Young -- set off to climb Mount Imja Tse (Island Peak) in Khumbu, Nepal. One of the goals of their expedition was to promote environmental awareness.

Tragically, Tracey was killed in an accident during the climb. To keep her memory alive, Jo, along with John Woods, decided to establish a travelers’ information center to educate visitors on safe trekking procedures and Nepal’s fragile ecosystems.

Today the Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project (KEEP) continues to promote environmental awareness and trekking safety among visitors to Nepal through lectures, Presentations, and courses.

KEEP’s Mission

Every year, over 300,000 tourists visit the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Some 85,000 of these tourists go trekking in the hills and mountain regions, while the others stay in the Kathmandu valley or go on jungle safaris. Many tourists are not well informed about Nepalese cultural values or the sensitivity of the natural environment to tourism. They are not aware that their actions can adversely affect the country and its people. KEEP’s primary goal, therefore, is to inform travelers about how they can minimize the negative effects of their tourism on Nepal.

A related goal of KEEP to further its environmental goals by encouraging visitors to support responsible trekking agencies and lodge owners. Thus, the overreaching goal of the organization is to encourage visitors to give to organizations working for the long term welfare of Nepal rather than handing out rupees and pens to begging children along the trails.