News and Events

A delegation of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) on September 12 met with the Director of the Department of Immigration (DoI) and expressed dissatisfaction over the collection of royalty for entire package period from trekkers heading to Kailash-Mansarovar area of China via Simikot, Humla. The DoI has been collecting royalty for the entire package period even though trekkers spend some days of their package in China from the beginning of August. TAAN President Sitaram Sapkota, President Elect Mahindra Singh Thapa, General Secretary Elect Mohan Lamsal and former President Deepak Mahat were in the delegation. Responding to TAAN’s concerns, the director said he was positive about TAAN’s concerns. Meanwhile, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has decided to meet the demand of Mustang locals. “Tourism Secretary has told me that the government would fufill the demand of Mustang locals once the new tourism minister assumes office,” President Sapkota said. Mustang locals have warned that they would not allow trekkers to enter the district if the government failed to reimburse 60 percent of total revenue collected from trekkers visiting Upper Mustang to the district.