KATHMANDU: The US Nepal Climbers Association Inc is mulling setting up a high-level independent council to support mountain climbers, high-altitude workers and their families, as well as to facilitate the Nepal government in the formulation of mountaineering-friendly policies.

The General Secretary of the USNCA, Ang Dawa Sherpa, said that the association has proposed the National 8,000-metre Mountaineers Welfare and Policy Council for the betterment of mountain climbers and workers.

“The N8MWPC will be an independent council under the USNCA Inc, which has different advisory boards for its functioning,” Sherpa said, adding that the council will also launch a national welfare and benefit programme for Nepali mountaineers.

The council aims to identify Nepali mountaineers who have scaled peaks above 8,000m, help them with insurance packages, support their livelihood, help educate their children, and provide support for their medical treatment, Sherpa shared.

The council will also lobby with the authorities for the formulation of mountaineering-friendly policies and programmes, as well as for the establishment of a mountaineer welfare fund in Nepal.

“By forming a policy council under the N8MWPC, it will suggest and help the concerned authorities with the revision and formulation of mountaineering policies,” Sherpa added.

Likewise, the council will also work for the promotion of Nepal’s mountaineering industry by recognizing Nepal-based world-class mountaineers in international forums, Sherpa shared. “The council will work as an advocacy, advisory and welfare body,” he said. USNCA has long been working for the betterment of the mountaineering sector and has been supporting mountaineers and their families in need. “Once the council is formed, all work will be streamlined through a single channel,” he said.

Additionally, there will be a board of Media and Communications Advisors to support the N8MWPC in managing press relations, public communications, media campaigns and official statements.

The advisors will help document and disseminate the council’s activities, programmes and initiatives, as well as advocate for the welfare, rights, safety and social security of Nepalese 8,000-metre mountaineers both domestically and internationally.

The advisors will also develop and coordinate media campaigns focused on mountaineers’ welfare and policy issues, and assist in the preparation and dissemination of official council statements, press releases and public information, Sherpa said.

“They will also facilitate the communication of the council’s proposals on long-term insurance, social security, emergency rescue, medical assistance and welfare protections for qualified Nepalese 8,000-metre mountaineers,” he said, adding that they will cultivate constructive relationships with national and international media organisations, government agencies, mountaineering institutions and other stakeholders.