All of these have occurred in the area over the last 25 years. The National Park regulations require trekkers to bring their own fuel supply with them to reduce the demand for firewood. The Park is designed to preserve the natural environment, including the lifestyle of the Sherpas. Electricity brings comfort and convenience to many homes in Namche Bazar, the main village near Everest, but hydroelectric facilities seem out of place to many who live here. They can also be dangerous; the monastery at Tengboche burned as a result of an electrical fire. Tourist dollars have caused inflation; prices of many goods are now beyond the reach of many Sherpas. Which of these is the most significant may depend on whether you are a blue pine tree, a botanist, or a Buddhist monk.
