- IPPG was born at the end of 1997. At the same time, IPPG started the Manang Rescue Fund (MRF)
- Letter writing and private talks to individuals and trekking companies.
- Setting up various representatives in eight countries.
- Preparing handouts, etc.
- Translation of IPPG material into French and German
- Donors: IPPG has had a good response to its publicity and there have been donations from individuals. In particular, the response from the trekking industry has been positive.
- International Conference on Porter Safety (see report)
- Lobbied TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal) to adopt IPPG guidelines. Still awaiting reply.
1998 International Conference on Porter Safety
On 7th September of 1998, IPPG organized a conference in Kathmandu:
Sixty people attended the conference including trekking agents (some of whom supported the conference financially), embassies, press and radio reporters, social activists, HRA (Himalayan Rescue Association), KEEP, etc. thus raising awareness of the issue.
Among many points raised at the conference, one of great importance was that porters are just as susceptible to altitude illness as westerners, and more so to hypothermia and frostbite. They also are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses (bronchitis, anemia, worm infestation, TB, etc).
The Canadian Consul pointed out the dangers of too many "porter horror stories", especially on the Internet. There is a chance that it may become a "cause celebre", resulting in a collapse of the trekking industry. In which case, the porters would be out of work, which is definitely not a solution for them... This is what occurred with the carpet industry and child labor.
Doug Scott from UK sent a letter and suggested that a "statue to the unknown porter" be erected to raise awareness of the porters who have died while carrying for treks and expeditions. Doug also pointed out that porters often do not receive the pay allotted by the trekking company, some of it being pocketed by the sirdar or the naike.
IPPG will hold another event next Sept/Oct. in Kathmandu.
Following the conference, several articles appeared in the Nepali press and Himal magazine (South Asia) did a piece on IPPG and the conference.
