KATHMANDU: Efforts to enhance trekker safety in Nepal’s Everest region have gained momentum with a dedicated search and rescue training programme underway in Kharikhola—an important entry point to the Khumbu and Mera trekking routes.

Launched on March 22, the three-day training focuses on equipping local tourism stakeholders with essential emergency response skills, reinforcing safety systems along one of Nepal’s most frequented trekking corridors.

Organised by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) in partnership with the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP) and the Trekking Guide Association of Nepal (TGAN), the initiative reflects a broader push toward safer and more sustainable mountain tourism.

The STP is a joint programme of the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at improving resilience and sustainability in key tourism destinations.

Participants include local guides, lodge owners, community representatives, and frontline workers such as police and health personnel—those most likely to respond first in emergencies along trekking routes.

The training covers fundamental search and rescue techniques, along with the use of basic life-saving equipment. Upon completion, essential rescue gear will be provided to local authorities, helping establish a more responsive and prepared support system for trekkers.

The initiative is expected to boost confidence among international visitors by strengthening on-ground safety mechanisms in the Everest region.