Kathmandu, November 6
The Department of Immigration has taken action against a travel agency and four foreign nationals for organising and undertaking a trek in a restricted area without obtaining the required permits.
According to the department, the four Mexican nationals were found to have entered the restricted area of Lower Dolpo without trekking permits.
Following an investigation based on a letter received from the District Administration Office in Dolpo, the department fined Mount Rose Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd Rs 50,000 under Section 10(4) of the Immigration Act, 1992, for taking foreign nationals into the restricted area in violation of the law.
The four Mexican nationals were each fined Rs 10,000 for entering the area without trekking permits. They were also required to pay the permit fee of US$20 per person, the department said.
The department stressed that trekking-related legal provisions and permit requirements must be fully followed to ensure safe, organised and responsible trekking tourism in Nepal.
Under Rule 32 of the Immigration Regulations, 1994, anyone entering a restricted area must complete the required procedures and obtain a trekking permit.
The department has urged foreign nationals, trekking agencies and other stakeholders to secure the necessary permits before organising or undertaking treks in restricted areas and to comply fully with existing legal provisions.
