KATHMANDU, December 26 – In a move to enhance trekking safety and sustainability in Nepal’s mountains, 23 professional trekking guides graduated from an intensive five-day "Trail Inspector and Auditor Training" on Friday. The graduating class included four female guides.
The training was a joint initiative of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP)—a partnership between the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The training curriculum was designed based on rigorous national and international frameworks, including The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) Trail Standards Guidelinges (2017), Trail Standards Guidelines (2082) amd Green Flag Trails Parameters (WTN 2025).
The program aimed to mobilize these guides to assess trail readiness before the trekking season begins. By identifying necessary repairs and ensuring trails meet safety standards, the initiative seeks to offer a higher quality experience for trekkers while protecting local ecosystems and benefiting trail-side communities.
Technical sessions were led by specialists from various high-level organizations, including the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA). Key resource persons included Dr. Chet Nath Kanel, Dr. Kulesh Thapa, Kashi R. Bhandari and Er. Krishna Gautam.
During the graduation ceremony held at the Moonlight Hotel in Thamel, TAAN President Sagar Pandey awarded completion certificates to the participants. The event, coordinated by TAAN Training Department Coordinator Raju Gurung, was attended by industry leaders including TAAN Joint Treasurer Lakpa Temba Sherpa and CEO Ram Chandra Sedai. Resource Persons, including Dr. Chet Nath Kanel, Prem Bdr. Gurung, and so on.
The closing ceremony was organized by TAAN EC Member and Training Department Coordinator Mr. Raju Gurung.
