Entrepreneurs blast ‘inhumane treatment of tourism labourers’

Pokhara / Aug 15: The Union of Trekking, Travels, Rafting and Airlines Workers Nepal (UNITRAV)-Pokhara has sent an appeal for taking the problems of labourers aiding the foreign tourists at Annapurna Circuit in a serious light.

At an interaction programme, UNITRAV-Nepal Western Regional Chairman, Bijaya KC, said although the concerned authorities had been repeatedly informed on the inhumane treatment of the foreign tourists’ aides in the region, it fell on deaf ears.

The labourers travelling from Bhanuwa area to Annapurna Base Camp and from the Base Camp to Bhanuwa have to make an advance payment of cash worth five days’ food at the Bhanuwa counter, and they are allowed accommodation only by considering the size of the group of foreign tourists which is very insulting, KC said.

KC warned of launching a protest if the concerned authorities do not mend ways and correct their behaviour towards the tourism labourers – which he reminded was shrinking and narrowing even more.

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Western Regional Chairman, Ram Chandra Sharma, emphasized on the role played by the labourers as being significant in promoting tourism. He further called for a complete halt in their inhumane treatment.

On the occasion, Annapurna Conservation Area Project Tourism Official, Rashmi Acharya, stressed on need for interaction between concerned bodies to immediately put an end to such treatment of labourers. RSS