KATHMANDU: The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has voiced its support for the Central Investigation Bureau's ongoing investigation into fake helicopter rescues, while also flagging concern over what it called misleading media reports alleging that guides deliberately poisoned tourists' food and drinks to stage fraudulent evacuations.

"The association has been extending coordination and support to the CIB as it investigates tourism companies involved in fraudulent rescue operations," said TAAN Secretary General Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa in a press release issued on Sunday. 

Sherpa further expressed confidence that the court process now underway would fairly determine guilt or innocence, ensuring that those found responsible face consequences while those who are not are cleared with dignity.

TAAN noted that the CIB has already formally denied the food poisoning allegations as misleading, and urged all national and international media outlets to publish and disseminate only factual, evidence-based information, warning that unverified reports risk further damaging Nepal's tourism image.

The association called on all its members — including trekking and mountain guides, tour operators, airlines, medical service providers, and accommodation businesses in destination areas — to strictly comply with existing laws and regulations, adhere fully to sustainable mountain tourism practices and codes of conduct, and conduct their business activities in a manner that upholds Nepal's reputation as a mountain tourism destination.

TAAN also said it is coordinating with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Home Ministry, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Immigration, the Nepal Tourism Board, and the Bagmati Province Culture and Tourism Ministry on issues of trekker and climber safety, rescue management, and regulatory oversight. The association committed to rolling out concrete programmes in the near future covering sustainable trekking and mountain tourism management, tourist and worker safety, and transparent rescue procedures.

"The innocent must not suffer unnecessarily, and the guilty must not escape," TAAN said, describing the principle as a cornerstone of its position on the matter.