Govt won’t be lenient with fake rescuers: Minister Adhikari

Kathmandu, August 13

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has vowed strong action against fake rescuers of mountaineers and trekkers.

Commenting on the recent report submitted by the probe committee of MoCTCA on fake rescues, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari said that every single person found guilty in the report will be penalised.

“As recommended by the report, we have already initiated the procedures for action. All those found guilty in the report will be made public soon,” said Adhikari, adding that the government will not excuse anyone engaging in illegal activities in the tourism industry.

Moreover, Adhikari informed that the government has been probing the involvement of other possible people in the fake rescue case.

Following complaints on bogus helicopter rescues and hospital treatment of trekkers and mountaineers, the government had formed a probe committee a few months ago to investigate into the issue. Submitting its report to the government on July 30, the probe committee had recommended action against fake rescuers of mountaineers and trekkers and initiating key reforms to ensure safety, reliability and regularity of services to tourists.

The report had outlined involvement of various helicopter companies, hospitals and travel and trekking companies in the fake rescue of tourists in a bid to make money through ‘illegal means’.

Moreover, the report had suggested establishing a ‘Tourist Rescue Coordination Room’ for six months in a year – from March to May and September to November – and urged implementation of Mountaineering and Trekking Search and Rescue Guidelines as soon as possible.