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IPPG Newsletters: March 2002
Editorial |
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| Dr Jim Duff, international coordinator. |
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Worldwide, there has been a shift in awareness on the porter issue. The USA is becoming much more awakened and interested. On the Inca trail there is some good news to report. In Africa, things are a bit slow to change substantially.
The Maoist insurgency in Nepal is hotting up. At the time of writing, there have been no threats or injury to tourists. Everyone in the industry is suffering due to the decrease in tourism, especially porters and their families. All at IPPG hope a sensible, non-violent solution will prevail.
IPPG has decided to drop its innovative but controversial 'Endorsement Program'. Instead it will be replaced by a voluntary code of conduct (see article, page 2).
The moving documentary made by Ms Sangita Manandhar Carrying the Burden was chosen for the Banff Mountain Film Festival where it was very well received. It is now touring, and raising the issue of porters worldwide. Sangita Manandhar commented: "The porter cause is very important to me too, after all I am also a Nepali".
Ben Ayers is now the director of a newly independent Porter's Progress which will run its own office in Kathmandu, and the Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu and Lukla (see article, page 3). IPPG will continue to give every support and cooperation to Ben in his efforts.
The porter poster Tough, Proud, Vulnerable is now to be found on treks throughout Nepal. $10,000 is being raised by Pete Clarke (Hong Kong Representative) to help build a porter shelter at Annapurna base camp. We are hoping to open a porter rescue post in the Gokyo area in response to ongoing deaths in that region.
These are a few initiatives from a very long list. IPPG will continue to quietly expand its activities and support those who look after their porters in a professional manner while encouraging change in those who do not. Finally, a big thank you to all those of you who have supported IPPG directly or indirectly over the past year.
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