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Nepal Government assigns TAAN to implement
Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC)
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 Trekking Agents Association
of Nepal (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 October 1, 2006. TAAN will
charge a minimum amount of money as administrative and service
fee for issuing TRC. As a record of trekkers, TRC incorporates
their personal details, trekking routes, duration, etc. The
provision is introduced in order to upgrade the service
standard and for better management of sustainable
mountain tourism development in Nepal. Trekking without TRC
is illegal and subject to charge fines and other punishments in
accordance with the laws of the Nepal Government.
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
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Trekkers must keep Trekking
Registration Certificate (TRC) along with them while trekking.
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TRC must be shown to TAAN
authorities, National Park check posts, Conservation Area
Project’s check posts and police check posts on demand.
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Deviation from the prescribed
trekking areas shall be taken as a violation of law of the
Government of Nepal
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Trekkers must keep their copies of
passports along with them during trekking for verification.
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TRC shall be non-transferable,
non-refundable and non-endorsable and valid only for single
entry.
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Nepal
