The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal issued a press release on the 4th stating that the Nepalese government has decided to collect more emergency and accident insurance premiums from mountaineering expeditions starting from January 2014, raising the minimum amount from $4,000 to $10,000.
Sapkota, an official from the ministry who was involved in signing the statement, said: "On May 28, the Ministerial Cabinet meeting had already reached a consensus, aiming to promptly revise the minimum insurance amounts related to personal accidents, compensation, and emergency rescue operations."
According to the revised policy, corpse recovery operations are also included in rescue and search operations. Although the resolution will take effect next year, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has already requested all relevant parties to implement these new policies as soon as possible before then.
At the same time, accident insurance and medical insurance premiums for high-altitude workers have also been increased. These workers include liaison officers at mountaineering camps, mountain guides, porters, and others deployed by the government.