The 10-day Trekking-Based Search & Rescue (BSR) Basic Training concluded successfully at the TAAN Secretariat building in Maligaon, Kathmandu. The program was jointly organized by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), in collaboration with the Trekking Guide Association of Nepal (TGAN). The STP is a collaborative initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aimed at promoting sustainable and safe tourism practices in Nepal.
Enhancing Safety in Trekking and Adventure Tourism
The training program was designed to strengthen the search and rescue capabilities of professional trekking guides, thereby promoting safer trekking experiences across Nepal’s mountain regions. A total of 17 licensed professional trekking guides, including three women, representing diverse trekking areas such as Sudurpachchim, Dolpa, Manaslu, Helambu, Rolwaling, and Everest, participated in the training.
Participants successfully acquired practical knowledge, essential information, and hands-on skills required for conducting effective trekking-based search and rescue operations, enhancing preparedness in case of emergencies during trekking expeditions.
Certificate Distribution Ceremony
A formal closing and certificate distribution ceremony was held at the TAAN Secretariat in Maligaon. TAAN President Mr. Sagar Pandey, Bagmati Province Culture & Tourism Ministry Secretary Mr. Dipendra Subedi, and STP National Program Manager Mr. Dharma Duwadi awarded the participants with completion certificates, recognizing their achievement and readiness to implement their training in real trekking scenarios.
During the event, the dignitaries highlighted the significance of empowering trekking guides with proper search and rescue training to ensure the safety of trekkers, guides, and local workers in the mountain tourism sector.
Comprehensive Training Modules
The 10-day training covered a wide range of critical topics essential for trekking-based search and rescue operations. Participants learned about:
- Trekking-related disasters, incidents, hazards, and risks
- Rapid assessment techniques for incidents and disasters
- Navigation and map-reading skills
- Real-time and forecast weather data interpretation
- Emergency lifesaving tools and techniques
- Snow-based hazard management and rescue
- Water-based hazard rescue operations
- Landmass and rock-related hazard response
- Forest fire rescue procedures
- Air-related hazards, including management of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
This comprehensive curriculum ensured that participants were well-prepared to respond to a variety of emergencies in different trekking environments.
Expert-Led Sessions
The training sessions were delivered by experts from various organizations, including TAAN, Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), National Network of Mountain Guides Association (NNMGA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Armed Police Force (AFP), Department of Mines and Hydrogeology (DoMH), Department of Forest and Soil Conservation (DoFSC), and ICIMOD.
Notable trainers included Mr. Prem Gurung, Mr. Lakpa Sherpa, Mr. Ashok Lama, Mr. Dawa Singi Hyolmo, Mr. Chandra Ale, Dr. Kulesh Thapa, and Er. Krishna Gautam, DSP Suraj Poudel, Mr. Suraj Khatiwada, Mr. Govinda Basyal, Mr. Sanjaya Adhikari, Mr. Sundar Sharma, and Ms. Sunwi Maskey, who brought a wealth of practical expertise to the sessions.
Commitment to Future Capacity Building
Speaking at the closing ceremony, STP National Programme Manager Mr. Dharma Duwadi, Bagmati Province Tourism Secretary Mr. Dipendra Subedi, and TAAN President Mr. Sagar Pandey stressed the importance of continuous capacity building in the trekking sector. They announced plans to organize advanced training programs in trekking-based search and rescue operations, aiming to further improve the safety standards and preparedness of trekking professionals across Nepal. The initiative reflects Nepal’s growing focus on safe and sustainable tourism, ensuring that the trekking sector remains both adventurous and secure for domestic and international visitors.
