Mountaineering experts have suggested forming a “safety council” for coordinated efforts to encourage mountain activities, foster safety and promote quality standards.
Mountaineering experts have suggested forming a “safety council” for coordinated efforts to encourage mountain activities, foster safety and promote quality standards.
In a day-long seminar on Mountain Tourism Safety organized by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) on Wednesday, with support from the New Zealand High Commission, SAMARTH and UKAID, David Bamford, a world expert on International Tourism Advisor, recommended to enhance safety condition in Nepal’s mountain tourism.
He suggested pursuing international best practices in areas such as skill development, mountain condition knowledge and communication system, as well as rescue treatment to promote sustainable mountain tourism.
The NMA said Nepal’s tourism industry is also under threat as the result of recent earthquake and increased temperatures are causing climbing and trekking routes to change.
There is a big increase in the number of frequency and magnitude of avalanches, serac collapses and rock falls on the mountains. The result of this was clear to see in the tragedy that unfolded on Mt Everest avalanches that killed 16 Nepali mountaineers on 18 April 2014. An unprecedented natural catastrophe of heavy snowfall and avalanches that occurred on October 13, 2014 in Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Dolpa killed 41and rescued 532 trekkers and climbers of various nationalities. The April 25 earthquake triggered massive avalanche at Everest Base Camp killing 18 and injuring 71 climbers.
“In the aftermath of devastating earthquakes, reviving tourism is going to be an indispensable factor in the systemic and widespread recovery process of Nepal,” said NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa. “The mountain tourism community is taking safety very seriously and also taking measures to review areas of safety concern and improve them.”
Experts shared their insights and recommendations to improving safety conditions in mountain tourism. Dr Buddha Basnyat, medical director of Himalayan Rescue Association, urged to give greater attention to the millions of pilgrims Nepal get from India and could benefit from safety precautions of adjusting to high altitudes.
Colonel Madan KC, a high-altitude rescue pilot, highlighted the importance of acquiring more helicopters and making them available for standby around the clock or during the day time.
Mahabir Pun, award-winning social innovator, revealed his ideas for implementing and financing a smart “electronic tracking system,” a GPS system to track the whereabouts of fellow trekkers, climbers and guides that would significantly speed up rescue operations.
Rishi Sharma, director general of Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, said informed the participants about the high resolution numerical weather forecast system that is available and provides accurate and timely weather forecast.
Tulsi Prasad Gautam, director general of Department of Tourism, suggested that mountaineering stakeholders could share the risks with government and create a joint crisis management call ready around the clock.
On the occasion, Tourism Minister Kripa Sur Sherpa, said only a fraction of the Nepal’s heritage sites were affected by the earthquake and that the mountain tourism should seize the opportunity to turn the negative perception towards travelling in Nepal into a renewed positive image of the majestic Himalayan nation.
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