Pokhara, November 1
Korean Telecom in partnership with Nepal Mountaineering Association, Gandaki Province and Hum Hunggel Foundation have established a rescue centre at the Annapurna Base Camp.
The rescue centre was inaugurated by Gandaki Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Thursday. The aim of the centre is to help in the rescue of missing trekkers in the region, according to the founders. Many tourists went missing around the Annapurna region in the past few years.
The NMA states that the centre will use a specialised drone which has an infrared heat sensor so that it can effectively locate missing tourists. The drone will also have a camera and a medicine box.
Solo trekkers will also be able to take a sensor with them which is synced with the drone. The sensor will give the rescue centre the trekker’s exact location, according to the NMA.
The centre will be looked after by the Korean Telecom and NMA. Korean Telecom will operate the centre for two years, after which it will hand over to the NMA. The telecom company, during the two years, will also train Nepalis on how to run the rescue centre, informs NMA president Santa Lama.
