Pokhara, November 1

A well-equipped rescue centre has been established along a trekking trail leading to Annapurna Mountain.

“Supported by Korean telecom, the project located at the main entrance to the base camp of Machhapuchchhre Mountain aims to deal with trekking problems,” said Sheshkanta Poudel, chief administrative officer of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski. The cost of the project is approximately Rs 150 million.

“A drone camera available at the centre is used to rescue tourists if they go missing or are trapped along the route due to various reasons,” said Poudel. “A drone camera will be used to locate tourists missing or trapped and rescue teams will be mobilised accordingly,” he added.

The drone camera can fly from the base camps of Machhapuchchhre and Annapurna mountains and their vicinity, he said. It can carry medicines weighing up to 10 kilograms.

“The centre will additionally provide security to tourists visiting the area, said Yubraj Kunwar, chair of the rural municipality. “High priority has been accorded to security and safety of tourists,” he said.

Last year, as many as 98,000 tourists, both foreign and domestic had toured the area. Of them, 130 had faced various types of difficulties in the course of their visit, resulting in the death of seven.