SZ to create regulation on risky hiking

Writer: Wang Jingli  |  Editor: Holly Wang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2020-08-12

Shenzhen has begun rolling out regulations on outdoor risky sports given a growing number of accidents seen in recent years, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported, citing information from the Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau recently.

An industry insider suggested that the adventure spirit is worth encouraging. However, rescue efforts were seen in many cases where tourists did not have enough skill and ignored safety warnings while hiking in the mountains.

In a recent case, a trapped hiker who was lost in Qiniang Mountain in Dapeng New Area was saved by police officers after five hours of searching Sunday evening.

In 2019 alone, the public security subbureau in Dapeng New Area received 78 calls for help related to hikers in distress. In response, they arranged 2,500 officers to help 181 trapped travelers.

“Many of these trapped travelers were new persons who don’t understand risks associated with strenuous hikes. They just find tour pals online and set out directly,” said Wang Changfu, leader of Shenzhen Blue Sky Rescue (BSR).

Each rescue effort is a use of public resources because it includes spending money on traffic, insurance and equipment.

The cost of a rescue effort can range from tens of thousands of yuan to hundreds of thousands, according to Wang.

Wang also added that current regulations on civil rescue efforts are not enough. Civil rescue is public welfare in nature. They are supported either by government funding or social donations.

At present, the team has spent hundreds of thousands of yuan each year. Money is still their primary concern.

Two team members with BSR reportedly died while conducting rescue efforts in last August. Some netizens believed that individual hikers should not cost the public resources and that regulations should be rolled out to regulate risky activities with consequences.

Many municipal lawmakers called for a regulation on outdoor activities in this year’s Municipal People’s Congress to ensure the safety of outdoor adventurers.

“We encourage the voluntary spirit and have to regulate outdoor adventures and rescue through legislation as well,” said Yang Qin, a municipal lawmaker.

The Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau also said that they will discuss with related outdoor clubs and rescue organizations to create regulations as soon as possible.