Balambu

Balambu is a village and former Village Development Committee that is now part of Chandragiri Municipality in Kathmandu District in Province No. 3 of central Nepal. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census it had a population of 7,323 and had 1,734 houses in it. Porters play a vital role in Nepal's tourism industry; every year they support thousands of tourists in tackling the iconic trails of the Everest region. Often climbing multiple time during the high season, the trekking industry provides an income that helps porters earn a living and support their families. However, they are also often the least valued on the mountain and because of the pressures to get an income can face exploitation and mistreatment from trekking operators. To address these issues, Kathmandu Environmental Education Program (KEEP) has created the Porter Awareness and Welfare training program. This provides porters with information about their work rights as well as health, hygiene and general First Aid skills. The program also offers guidance on appropriate trekking clothing and gear, and how to access KEEP's Porter Clothing Centre, which loans warm clothing and appropriate footwear to porters.