KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has enforced the Work Procedure on Search, Rescue, Medical Treatment and Monitoring of Tourists, 2018.

The work procedure is implemented with the goal of systematising the search and rescue of tourists in case of natural disasters. The purpose of the work procedure is also to lessen the impact of such disasters as far as possible.

Ministry's joint spokesperson Prakash Sharma Dhakal said the work procedure has been implemented with the objective of making works related to search, rescue and treatment of tourists prompt, easy and smooth whenever tourists are affected by any kind of disaster in course of trekking, river rafting, mountaineering and other adventure tourism activities.

The work procedure requires that the concerned tourism agency has to immediately carry out search and rescue if any tourist or their assistant workers go missing due natural disasters or any other cause in course of adventure activities. It is also the responsibility of the agency and the tourist guide concerned to take and bring back the tourist to their destinations in a safe manner.

It stipulates that the concerned agency would be responsible to conduct or have related bodies conduct the search and rescue works, taking the help of experts, other organisations, agencies, airlines and helicopters companies.

If the agency itself cannot carry out the search and rescue operation, it should notify the Tourist Police and the Department of Tourism at the earliest along with the name, nationality, passport number and other details of the tourist caught up in disaster.

Similarly, the tourism agency concerned is required to take appropriate measures for reducing the risk by assessing the possibility of accidents or risks that might take place in course of adventure tourism activities. It is also stated in the work procedure that the agency should make arrangements for first aid, wholesome food, potable water and suitable accommodation keeping in view the safety and convenience of tourists.

The work procedure provisions that primary health care and treatment should be provided to the tourist, trekking guide or work assistant as per requirement after the search and rescue. They should be taken to the nearest hospital or health facility which is well-equipped and has sound facilities for advanced treatment as needed.

The work procedure states that a Tourist Search and Rescue Steering Committee would be formed with the participation of stakeholder organisations for monitoring the effectiveness of the search, rescue and treatment of the disaster-hit tourists. The committee would be coordinated by the Director General of the Department of Tourism.

The committee shall facilitate the government bodies, airlines or helicopter companies, agencies, hospitals, related individuals and organisations for the search, rescue and treatment.

Likewise, the committee shall determine the ceiling of fare for airlines or helicopter rescue flights on the basis of flight duration, distance and altitude, coordinating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the Airlines Operators' Association of Nepal, insurance companies, other agencies and organisations concerned.

The work procedure also has a provision which bars the agents of foreign insurance companies based in Nepal from being involved in any activities related to search, rescue and treatment of tourists caught up in disaster.