KATHMANDU, Nov 3: The Department of Immigration (DoI) has taken action against a trekking agency for leading foreign nationals into a restricted area without the required permit.
Multi Adventure Pvt Ltd was penalized for taking a German citizen Martin Schramm to the Kanchenjunga region in Taplejung before the official trekking permit period. This is the first-time penalty under the Immigration Act, 1992 (2049 BS), and the agency was fined NRs 40,000.
Royal Trek being promoted during Visit Nepal Year 2020
According to regulations, foreign nationals must obtain a trekking permit from the DoI before visiting restricted areas. The Trekking Permit Rules, 1994 (2051 BS) stipulate that agencies must submit applications on behalf of trekkers prior to entering such areas.
In this case, the agency had obtained a 10-day permit starting October 25, but the trekking party entered the Kanchenjunga region a day before the official start date. Prior to this, the trekking guide, Daila Sherpa, had also led the group into the area. Sherpa has been reported to the Tourism Board for further action.
The DoI has identified 15 districts in Nepal where certain areas are designated as restricted due to security and border sensitivity. These include Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpa, Simkot in Humla, Namkha and Chuncheli, Manaslu in Gorkha, Kanchenjunga, Gaurishankar and Lamabagar in Dolakha, Kimathanka, Chekampur, and Chhunchhet, among others, according to department spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal.
