A Qingbu, a 54-year-old local resident of Dechen county in China’s Yunnan province, has led a dedicated effort to clean up the Meili Snow Mountains for two decades. Starting his annual spring cleanup campaign on June 20 this year, A Qingbu and a team of 26 volunteers, supported by 22 horses and mules, combed the mountainous trails to collect waste left by increasing numbers of pilgrims and trekkers. The campaign covers the outer circuit of the sacred Mount Kawagebo, a 240-kilometer pilgrimage route revered in Tibetan Buddhism.

The cleanup is a response to growing environmental concerns along the mountain path, particularly since 2003, when A Qingbu first noticed the accumulation of garbage such as plastic food packaging and discarded plastic bottles among the traditionally pristine mountain trails. Mount Kawagebo, straddling Yunnan and the neighboring Xizang autonomous region, draws many Tibetan pilgrims especially during the Year of the Sheep, regarded as a sacred year linked to the mountain deity. The influx of visitors has contributed to an increase in litter, shifting from traditional organic waste to an abundance of plastic and processed food containers.

Born in 1972 and raised near the trailhead, A Qingbu has been guiding pilgrims since his teens. Over the years, he has witnessed the effects of increased tourism and commercial activity, including the establishment of seasonal supply stands along the route. His initial responses included informal trash collection and burying waste in unpopulated areas, but the absence of infrastructure and resources limited effectiveness.

Progress came gradually, aided by donations and community support. In 2009, funds allowed him to install makeshift trash bins, later upgraded to durable iron-framed baskets designed to withstand the mountain environment. These bins, along with bilingual signage in Mandarin and Tibetan, promote environmental awareness among pilgrims. A Qingbu established this twice-yearly cleanup — typically in late spring and autumn — to coincide with vegetation cycles and maximize trash visibility.

Since 2023, the campaign has received significant backing from the Canadian outdoor apparel company Arc’teryx. Recognizing the environmental and cultural importance of the project, the company provided sponsorship including eight mules, shelter facilities, feed, and 250 additional trash bins for recent campaigns. A Qingbu’s volunteer group, now named the ReBird Crew, benefits from uniform jackets supplied and maintained by the sponsor. This partnership enabled A Qingbu to transition from guiding to focus exclusively on the cleanup effort as a full-time occupation.

Despite the support, the physical demands remain high. The team navigates harsh terrain above 4,000 meters elevation, contending with weather exposure, unpleasant odors from decomposing waste, and occasional altitude sickness among crew members. Compensation is modest, with wages serving more as a subsidy to sustain the volunteer commitment.

Looking ahead, A Qingbu anticipates further challenges with an expected surge in pilgrims during the upcoming Year of the Sheep in 2027. Increased pilgrim traffic has prompted local families to build new food and supply huts along the route, which will generate additional waste. To address this, he plans to introduce a third annual cleanup and is working to construct free shelters for pilgrims at key campsites, aiming to improve both environmental conditions and visitor support.

Since beginning his campaign 20 years ago, A Qingbu’s efforts have resulted in the removal of several tons of garbage each year from the sacred mountains, preserving an important cultural and natural heritage site. He remains committed to continuing the work as long as pilgrims walk the trails and Mount Kawagebo remains a spiritual beacon for the local Tibetan community.