The deaths of nine people on a trek in Uttarakhand highlights, once again, the need for continuously improving conditions for adventure activities in the state. While the rescue operation was carried out in exemplary fashion, indicating the already existing facilities and human resources in this regard, there are issues at both the policy and grassroots levels that need to be resolved.
It is worth reiterating that till such a time every member of the ‘host community’ is trained in taking care of tourists, be it on the streets of Mussoorie and Nainital, or in the high reaches of the mountains, there remains an element of risk. It may just be the case of a shepherd warning trekkers about taking a short-cut, or advising about the nature of local weather, the advantages can be many. At the policy level, it must be understood, for instance, that trekking above and below the snowline is different in nature. Merely ensuring that amateur and sight-seeing type of trekkers do so below the snowline can save lives. While the group that lost nine of their members were experienced trekkers, they still overlooked the fact that most were in the higher age bracket. It becomes difficult for such persons to face the kind of physical challenge that hit them. It becomes all the more necessary, therefore, for companies that provide guides and other facilities to have the right priorities.
Those in the tourism business can become more profit oriented, even exploitative, and it is the job of government to ensure this culture does not flourish. It is not just through rules and regulations that the right approach can be enforced –regular training and upgradations of skills needs to be imparted through interactions and workshops. This has not developed sufficiently in Uttarakhand because there is also a different culture regarding hosting of pilgrims. Tourism is service oriented, while pilgrims come to worship and bow before the local priests. This gap also needs to be bridged in terms of attitude.
Be it the tourist or the pilgrim, they need to be treated with care and as everybody’s responsibility. This precautionary approach will ensure that there is less need to undertake the rescue missions. While trekkers getting into difficulty in the mountains may be comparatively rare, the incidents of people drowning in the rivers are much too frequent. These can only be prevented by alert locals at the spot. All they need to know is that it’s their responsibility.
