The Mt. Qomolangma torch relay undoubtedly will be a great symbol of Olympic spirit. While most people are eagerly anticipating the event, there is some debate on whether such a big event in the fragile Mt Qomolangma area might cause more pollution and environmental deterioration.

So, what's it like at the base camp of Mt. Qomolangma? Our reporter You Yu has conducted an on-the-spot investigation and brings you the story.

When we entered the Mt. Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, we each were given a bio-degradable garbage bag. Our Tibetan driver told us we should put all the trash produced at the base camp in the bags and return them to the garbage disposal department of the reserve when we return.

At this time, several hundred people are living at the base camp, and they naturally produce quite a big amount of rubbish. Now that we all have a bio-degradable garbage bag in our tents, public areas will be my first focus.

The canteen and the kitchen are places that see a lot of garbage. The boss of the CCTV canteen Dang Xiaoqiang says more than a hundred people eat at this canteen three times every day. To handle their "leftovers", the canteen has prepared a great number of huge bio-degradable garbage bags.

"This time we brought lots of garbage bags. They are all bio-degradable. We dispose of garbage every day into the bins. People with the environmental protection department collect the trash every day. We have strict rules about littering around the kitchen and the canteen. "

As for the residents of the base camp, they can do some little things to make a difference. Xue Hongxi is a researcher with the Weather Safeguard Team. He explains that the most important thing is for people to have environmental protection awareness.

"In fact we should always have this awareness. I personally saw my workmate put a cigarette butt into a special carry-on bag whenever he went to the base camp as he wouldn't litter. The same goes for chewing gum, drinking bottles and other things. We don't litter."

Qiu Xiang is a journalist with China National Radio. He says as a media person, it is his responsibility to deliver a message to the public that environment protection is very important.

"I hope when the torch relay at Mt Qomolangma is finished and when we are about to leave the base camp, we don't leave any garbage. I hope Mt Qomolangma can keep her purity and sanctity forever."