KATHMANDU: Nepali mountain guides have demanded the government for social security for them claiming to be the backbone of the Himalayan nation climbing industry.

President of Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) Ang Norbu Sherpa stated that mountain guides are usually low-paid and there is no guarantee of social security.

According to him, mountain guides always risk their lives to support the expedition members on different mountains. “Therefore, their contribution to the climbing industry should be honored,” Sherpa said.

Mountain guides work for the welfare and safety of climbing members but the concerned stakeholders have failed to increase their investment on them, Sherpa added.

On the occasion of the 14th National Mountain Guide Day on Sunday, the NNMGA also awarded certificates to five new mountain guides and four aspirant guides.

The NNMGA has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) for five years to jointly conduct mountain and aspirant guides training courses.

Aspirant Guide Course, which consists of three components spread over a span of 10 months, incorporates a total of 47 training days. It is the first step to pursue advanced International Mountain Guide – IFMGA.

The NNMGA had launched aspirant guide training in 2007 while the first batch of international mountain guide graduated in 2009.