Faced with risks, Kathmandu serves the nut. Nepal, known for its mountainous regions that attract trekkers from around the world, has decided to ban solo treks, the Nepal Tourism Board announced last week in a press release. The ban will take effect on April 1.
“All hikers must pay for the services of an authorized hiking guide,” announces the Tourist Office.
It is no longer a question of embarking alone on the discovery of the mountains of Nepal from now on. It’s just about national parks, like Annapurna.
“Guarantee the safety of visitors”
Nepal had already banned solo trekking on its peaks in 2017, including the famous Mount Everest. Objective: to reduce the number of accidents, while the summit, recognized as the highest in the world with its 8849 meters high, attracts many tourists.
Six years later, this new ban is motivated by the same concerns. The Nepal Tourism Office ensures that this measure should allow “guaranteeing the safety of visitors.”
“The decision was made after a series of discussions with expedition and trekking managers as well as relevant unions in Nepal to reduce incidents,” he said.
unlicensed guides
This change in regulations should reduce not only accidents, but also rescue operations in certain remote regions that are costly for the government.
“When tourists go missing or are found dead, even the government can’t track them because they took remote paths,” Nepal Tourism Board director Mani R. Lamichhane told CNN.
Also, too many tourists turn to unlicensed tour guides, inadvertently putting themselves at risk. Every year, fatal trekking accidents occur in Nepal. At least 300 hikers have lost their lives climbing Mount Everest since 1950.
Source: BFM TV
