PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Uttarkashi Forty of the 137 trekkers and porters stuck in the high altitude Himalayan regions of Uttarkashi district following snowfall were rescued by the State government on Monday. According to the district administration, 29 persons were rescued from Odin Col base while 11 were rescued from the Kalindi base with the help of four helicopters. All of them were taken to safe locations as per the protocol with medical examination and necessary assistance being provided to them. Uttarkashi district magistrate Prashant Arya said that teams of the army, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, police, Health department, Forest department and other departments concerned are working in a coordinated manner to rescue the stranded trekkers and porters. There are about 96 trekkers and porters present in the upper reaches, who are yet to be rescued. A rescue operation with helicopters and teams on the ground is underway to rescue them. Reaching the control room on Monday evening, Arya reviewed the progress of the rescue operation and issued necessary directions to the team involved in the efforts. Meanwhile, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had a telephonic conversation with the Disaster Management secretary and sought detailed information about the rescue and relief operations. He directed that top priority be accorded to the safe return of the trekkers and porters stuck in the high altitude areas.