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Trekking Registration Certificates (TRC)
Trekking Agents Association
of Nepal (TAAN) has been entrusted with the responsibility of issuing Trekking
Registration Certificate (TRC) to foreign tourists interested to visit open
trekking areas in the country. The new provision which was pre-planed to be
launched on World Tourism Day (September 27, 2006) and come into effect from
October 21 this year due to some inadequacy of technical and administrative
preparations.
The Nepal Government has decided to introduce TRC in order to control illegal
operations in the Nepalese trekking industry and to ensure safety and security
of the visiting trekkers.
Please, find the details regarding TRC below:
REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR TREKKERS
With a view to checking illegal operations in the trekking industry and ensuring
safety and security of trekkers, the Nepal Government has introduced a new rule
that requires all trekkers to go on trekking in various parts of the country
only through registered trekking agencies after obtaining a Trekking
Registration Certificate (TRC) from TAAN. As an umbrella organization of more
than 550 registered trekking companies of Nepal, TAAN has been authorized by the
Nepal Government to issue TRC and the new rule is scheduled to come into force
from third week of October, 2006. Trekking without TRC is illegal and subject to
charge fines and other penalties in accordance with the laws of the Nepal
Government. However, foreign guests visiting Nepal at the invitation of the
Nepal Government, foreign officials, who deserve facilities as diplomats, and
other foreign nationals working for development projects in Nepal, do not need
to obtain TRC if they are not visiting the trekking areas as trekkers. But they
must possess supportive documents and show them to the concerned officials at
the check posts.
IMPORTANCE AND NECESSITY OF
TRC
It is very important to have a kind of monitoring and facilitating system in
place for any sort of outdoor activity that involves physical risk. Trekking is
a major outdoor activity in Nepal's mountain tourism. Given the rugged physical
condition and remoteness of almost all trekking areas of Nepal's Himalayan
mountain region, a record system is very essential that would be helpful in
monitoring the safety and security of trekkers. The past experiences have shown
that difficulties have been faced while carrying out rescue operations promptly
during the times of natural calamities. Because of lack of proper record system
of trekkers, their exact whereabouts and the information about trekking routes,
rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the trekkers
missing.
The Nepal Government is very serious about implementing TRC as a mechanism to
control all sorts of anomaly, including illegal operations, and to ensure safety
and security of trekkers. Therefore, TAAN, as a national tourism organization
working in the field of sustainable mountain tourism in Nepal, has been
entrusted with the responsibility of implementing TRC. As per TAAN’s proposed
hassle-free procedure, TRC is being issued to each and every trekker traveling
only through the registered trekking agencies.
The decision regarding the introduction of TRC is a welcome step taken in its
policies and programmes by the Nepal Government. So, TAAN is in the process of
developing a well-managed and efficient system with nominal service charge of
Nepali rupees 250 (equivalent US$ 3.5 only) to implement TRC in the open
trekking areas of Nepal. TRC is going to be issued from convenient locations of
Kathmandu and Pokhara.
TRC ISSUING SYSTEM
The following considerations have been taken into account in the process of
issuing TRC:
1. All important details of trekkers and trekking routes will be maintained on a
computerized record system that may be useful for safety and security of
trekkers and field-staff.
2. The data generated from the system will be useful to all stakeholders --
tourism organizations, government agencies, diplomatic missions, tour operators,
research institutes, etc.
3. Unauthorized trekking operations will be controlled, thus, resulting into
better management of trekking service and in benefit of all concerned -
trekkers, agencies, field - staff, government, etc. and also occasional untoward
incidents will be better prevented.
4. TAAN will be able to work more in its effort of preservation of natural and
cultural environment in cooperation with local communities. This, in turn, will
enable to promote sustainable tourism.
5. The issue of TRC will be so simplified that it would be prompt and
inexpensive. The convenient TRC counter in Kathmandu will remain open 12 hours a
day all the seven days a week round the year. Pokhara counter will be opened for
9 hours a day. The TRC counters will be located close to the counters of the
National Parks and Conservation Areas.
6. TAAN’s Media Centre will have updated information about the conditions of
trails and other relevant insights into the trekking areas. The same information
also will be updated frequently in the TAAN's web page. Some of the check posts
along the trekking routes will be equipped with telephone services by TAAN.
TRC REGULATORY PROVISIONS
1. Trekkers must keep Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) along with them
while trekking.
2. TRC must be shown to TAAN authorities, National Park check posts,
Conservation Area Project’s check posts and police check posts on demand.
3. Deviation from the prescribed trekking areas shall be taken as a violation of
law of the Government of Nepal
4. Trekkers must keep their copies of passports along with them during trekking
for verification.
5. TRC shall be non-transferable, non-refundable and non-endorsable and valid
only for single entry.
APPEAL
TAAN also requests all concerned stakeholders to help disseminate the above
information to potential trekkers to Nepal and other related offices and
agencies. Any inconvenience that may arise due to implementation of this new
rule is regretted.
Thank you for your kind support and cooperation.
For Trekking permit
information, please click here |
