Kathmandu: Nepal today agreed to set up a relief fund for the victims of mountain disasters and appealed to Sherpas not to launch an agitation as it could cripple tourism industry, the country`s main forex earner.
Nepal government`s nod to set up the fund came a day after Sherpa guides warned of an agitation if their demand of Rs 1 million in compensation for the families of their 13 colleagues killed in the deadliest accident on Mount Everest last week was not met.
Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Acharya assured Sherpas to set up a fund for the victims of mountain disasters by setting aside revenue generated from climbing expeditions.
"I have heard rumours that some mountain guides were considering to launch agitation following the last week`s tragedy that killed at least 13 Sherpa guides near the Everest base camp, which I hope would not come true," Acharya said, while condoling the families of the deceased climbers at a function organised by Nepal Tourism Board today.
The minister`s remarks came after Sherpas made a number of demands such as Rs 1 million compensation to the kin of the deceased, bearing all the expenses for the treatment of the injured mountain guides, doubling their insurance which is USD 10,000 at present and installing statues of all the climbers killed in the avalanche last week.
A massive avalanche struck Mount Everest on Friday killing at least 13 Nepalese Sherpa guides and injuring several others in the deadliest mountaineering accident on the the 8,848-metre-high peak.
In the wake of the demands, the government decided to raise the insurance coverage of mountaineering guides and Everest Base Camp workers to USD 15,000. The medical insurance coverage has also been raised to USD 40,000 from the earlier amount of USD 30,000, Nepali media reported.
"I express my deep grief on the demise of the climbers and extend heartfelt condolence to the grief stricken families," Acharya said.
"We cannot do much when natural disaster like this occurs, except carrying quick rescue works, which we have done as per our capacity," he said.
The families of the 13 Sherpas killed in the accident have been granted compensation to the tune of Nepali Rs 150,000. The three injured climbers were given Rs 105,000 each.
The 150,000 compensation each to the families of the victims comprised of Rs 50,000 given by the government and the rest by two private organisations - Nepal Mountaineering Association and Himalayan Rescue Association.
Similarly, the Rs 105,000 given to the injured comprises of Rs 35,000 by the government and the rest by the two organisations.
The climbers had yesterday announced to halt mountain activities for seven days to mourn the demise of sixteen climbers.
Tourism is the main source of foreign exchange earnings in Nepal.
