China bans ordinary tourists in core zone of Mt Everest

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China has banned the entry of visitors who don't have climbing permits into the core zone of the Mount Everest National Nature reserve in Tibet to better conserve the environment of the world's highest mountain.

But for travellers, who have a climbing permit, the mountaineering activities will not be affected, according to the reserve, which was set up in 1988.

Covering an area of around 33,800 square km, including a 10,312-square km core zone, the reserve is home to one of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems.

Recently, a report went viral online claiming the Qomolangma base camp was "permanently closed due to heavy pollution."