Case Study On Sustainable Enterprise

The role of porters is attributed to their nature of being hardy, physically strong, and their ability to function well in anaerobic conditions, while carrying heavy loads. In addition to that, they have a history of mountain climbing and exploration.
However, there are a number of problems that face the porters, while in the line of duty. These include lack of proper; clothing, shelter, food, and medical care. In addition to that, the porters have limited knowledge on safety procedures to Aids and hygiene. Campaigns have been set up by socially concerned organizations, in a bid to solve some of the problems the porters face. Besides the grassroot organizations, Convern, an international porter protection group based in the UK, seeks to protect the rights of porters from issues such as exploitation by western businesses.
Efforts to convince the Nepalese government to chip in and help fight for the welfare of the porters as well as their families deemed fruitless, since the government lacks the capacity to monitor the situation. To rectify the situation, forums between the government and trekking company operators in the UK resulted to the following ethnic guidelines:
1. Adequate clothing for bad weather be provided for.
2. Porters be allowed access to proper shelter, food and any other necessities.
3. Weight limits be adjusted and limited as per the individual.
4. Porters should have the same medical care as the tourists. They also should not be paid off due to illness or injury.
There are a number of responses to the guidelines, one being from Nick Morgans, a Tourism Manager at Himalayan Kingdoms. He, in support of the guidelines, said that they were very crucial, since the most popular tourist activity in the region is trekking, and the porters are of great help to the tourists who take part in the activity.