DOT would take initiatives to facilitate tourist rescue flights

KATHMANDU, Sep 30:The Department of Tourism has started an initiative to facilitate rescue flights.

Dr. Narayan Prasad Regmi, Director General of the Department, presided over a meeting of the Tourist Search, Rescue, Treatment, and Monitoring Director Committee, which resolved to take the initiative to facilitate the rescue flight.

The meeting  has decided to send a written request to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to amend the procedural approval and review the prohibited zones, as the procedure of obtaining permission for rescue flights is complex and time-consuming.

It has also been resolved to urge that the Ministry of Health and Population assist in the treatment of tourists affected by disasters.

The meeting also decided to get permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to fly helicopters from Tribhuvan International Airport to rescue tourists in the Manaslu and Solukhumbu districts.

Rakesh Gurung, director of the department, stated that it was agreed to promptly monitor the situation of visitors in Manaslu and Solukhumbu, led by the Nepal Mountaineering Association.