The recent death of a 29-year-old youth from North Dinajpur from suspected high altitude sickness while he was on way to Sandakphu has prompted the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to draw up new plans for the safety of trekkers to Bengal’s highest point located at 12,000 feet above sea level.

Among these include mandatory halt for acclimatisation, setting up a health post and a compulsory fitness certificate from a doctor.

Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator of adventure tourism in the GTA, said during the peak season, around 500 tourists and trekkers visit Sandakphu every day.

They reach the location by covering a 35-kilometre-long steep hilly mountain road by foot or hiring Land Rovers from Manebhanjan.

“We will request tourists and trekkers to halt at Tumling or Meghma for at least a day to acclimatise with the weather to avoid high altitude sickness. Before boarding a vehicle or starting a trek, they will have to furnish a fitness certificate issued by a doctor to our representatives,” said Sherpa. He said that they had already submitted their proposals to the principal secretary of the GTA so that necessary orders were issued in this regard.

As of now, two health workers of GTA, who are trained to provide first aid and can handle oxygen cylinders, are posted at Manebhanjan and Sandakphu. The nearest health centre is at Sukhiapokhri, 45km away.

In case of any medical emergency, trekkers, homestay owners and other members of the local population are wholly dependent on this health centre.

Arun Sigchi, the executive member of health and family welfare department of the GTA, said considering the inflow of tourists in Sandakphu, they have decided to open a health post at the site.

Once the proposal gets final nod at the meeting of GTA’s executive body meeting, the post would be opened, he said.

“There will be basic amenities like oxygen cylinders and first-aid equipment, along with medicines which are essential for such a high-altitude area to address respiratory and cardiac problems. We can’t afford to keep a doctor on a permanent basis at the spot, but arrangements will be made so that doctors keep on visiting the health post,” said Sigchi.

Also, an ambulance would be kept at Sandakphu to carry patients in case of emergency, he added.

On May 26, Tanmoy Kundu, who was from Kaliaganj of North Dinajpur, had been to Tumling, a hamlet on the way to Sandakphu, with five other friends. He fell sick and on the next day, his friends made arrangements to shift him to the block health centre at Sukhiapokhri, which is around 45 kilometres away.

Tanmoy lost his senses during the trip and on reaching the hospital, doctors pronounced him dead. Later, a post-mortem was conducted and his body was taken to his home town for the last rites.