KATHMANDU: Sixteen professional trekking guides have completed a 10-day trekking-based search and rescue basic training aimed at strengthening safety standards in Nepal’s mountain tourism sector.

The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has successfully concluded a 10-day Trekking-Based Search and Rescue Basic Training at its secretariat building in Maligaon, Kathmandu.

The training was organised jointly by rekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP) in collaboration with the Trekking Guide Association of Nepal (TGAN) at its secretariat building in Maligaon, Kathmandu. STP is a collaborative initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The programme aimed to enhance the professional competencies of licensed trekking guides in managing search and rescue operations in trekking regions, thereby fostering safer and more sustainable trekking and adventure mountain tourism in Nepal.

The 16 licensed professional trekking guides included two women, representing trekking destinations such as Sudurpashchim, Dolpa, Manaslu, Helambu, Rolwaling and Everest, successfully graduated from the training. Participants received in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge required for trekking-based search and rescue operations.

The training covered a broad range of subjects including the basic concepts of trekking-related disasters, hazard and risk assessment, rapid emergency response, navigation and map reading, and analysis of real-time and forecast weather data. Participants were also trained in emergency lifesaving tools and techniques.

In addition, specialised sessions addressed snow-related hazards and rescue procedures, water-based incidents, rockfall and landslide response, forest fire emergencies, and altitude-related risks such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

The sessions were facilitated by subject experts including Prem Gurung, Lakpa Sherpa, Ashok Lama, Dawa Singi Hyolmo, Chandra Ale, Dr. Kulesh Thapa, Er. Krishna Gautam, DSP Suraj Poudel, Suraj Khatiwada, Govinda Basyal, Sanjaya Adhikari, Sundar Sharma and Sunwi Maskey. The experts represented institutions such as TAAN, HRA, NNMGA, NDRRMA, Armed Police Force, DoHM, DoFSC and ICIMOD.

During the closing and certificate distribution ceremony, completion certificates were handed over by TAAN President Sagar Pandey, Bagmati Province Culture and Tourism Secretary Dipendra Subedi and STP National Programme Manager Dharma Duwadi.

Addressing the programme, the speakers underscored the importance of structured training in strengthening the safety framework of Nepal’s trekking industry. They highlighted that enhancing the technical and operational capacity of trekking guides directly contributes to protecting trekkers, porters and local communities.

TAAN leadership reaffirmed its commitment to continue organising capacity-building programmes, including advanced training in trekking-based search and rescue operations, as part of its broader mandate to professionalise and safeguard Nepal’s trekking sector.