| Prakash Adhikari (IPPG Nepal representative, HRA Chief-Executive) and Marie Auger-Andrews (MA Tourism Studies) |
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Nepal is a very small landlocked country (...) with a per capita income of approximately US $180. Over 90% of the people depend on agriculture but the agricultural system is still primitive and many of the farmers are not self-sustainable. (...) Production oriented industry has not flourished in the country. Yet it is because of this same primitiveness and beauty that Nepal is recognized within the tourism industry, and it is this industry of tourism that can provide the mechanism out of this economic plight, namely mountain tourism.
(...) An indispensable and often overlooked component of this product is the individual who services the traveler-trekker: the porter. Unfortunately, tourism agencies, organizations and the government have not stepped in to provide, promote, or protect the porter in Nepal.
Every year more than 100,000 [trekkers] (...) create an employment opportunity for the Nepalese porter. The employment ratio (...) is 1:4, one trekker needs four employees (porters and others) . For "tea house trekking", the ratio is still significant 1:1, one trekker needs one porter or employee.
However the reality of life for the porter can be miserable. The loads they carry are heavy and often the weight of the pack reflects the dollars they will earn, so many carry more than they should. Most porters cannot afford proper clothing, shoes, or any other protection from the elements of the mountains. They eat less, work hard and often suffer from the same hazards as any other person trekking in the mountains. Conditions such as acute mountain sickness, hypothermia, snow blindness, and frostbite affect these workers and regrettably some die of these conditions.
Yet it is these same porters who often save the lives of their traveler-trekkers. Amazing stories abound of porters who risked their lives in order to get help for their stranded and injured trekkers. I have interviewed some of these porters and asked them: "Why did you risk your life for that person?" The unanimous answer is: "Because I had to".
(...) Although there are many other aspects to a sustainable development of mountain tourism, the promotion of porter safety to all involved in the industry should be of utmost importance and significance.
Trekking & Mountaineering Agencies
- Provide porters with proper equipment, wages and insurance
- Consider porter welfare while selling product
- Educate porters and staff (health issues, environmental issues, etc)
- Provide reasonable shelter to the porters in the field
Porter Education (by their employer)
- On possible hazards like AMS and other related problems
- On responsibilities in their job
- Encourage porters to share their problems with their sirdars/ naike
Government Policies
- Fix standard weight, wage, and equipment for porters
- Check and monitor the above through police check posts
- Take necessary actions if regulations are not followed
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