Nepal mulls free SIM cards to help hikers in distress
28 March 2014 11:07 PM GMT
Nepal plans to distribute free SIM cards to trekkers visiting remote areas alone, officials said on Thursday, after several foreign hikers were attacked or went missing in recent years.
Home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains including Mount Everest, Nepal hosts thousands of foreign climbers and trekkers every year. But the killing or disappearance of solo trekkers have raised concerns about the safety of tourists. ‘When a trekker is lost, it becomes easy to find out the location by tracking the SIM card,’ said Sharad Pradhan, a senior Nepal Tourism Board official, said. ‘Trekkers in
distress can also call us on some specified numbers for help or rescue.’
Home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains including Mount Everest, Nepal hosts thousands of foreign climbers and trekkers every year. But the killing or disappearance of solo trekkers have raised concerns about the safety of tourists. ‘When a trekker is lost, it becomes easy to find out the location by tracking the SIM card,’ said Sharad Pradhan, a senior Nepal Tourism Board official, said. ‘Trekkers in
distress can also call us on some specified numbers for help or rescue.’
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