[maperani]

Nepal Government assigns TAAN to implement

Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC)

Registration Required for trekkers

With a view to checking illegal operations in the trekking business 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
having 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 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.

Appeal

All the concerned government agencies have been requested to provide
required cooperation to TAAN in TRC implementation and monitoring process.
While developing the TRC issuance mechanism, TAAN has made it sure that a
well organized efficient system is developed. Any inconvenience that may
arise due to implementation of this new rule is regretted.

TAAN also asks all concerned stakeholders to help disseminate the
information to potential trekkers to Nepal and other related offices and
agencies.

Thank you for your kind support and cooperation.

For further information, please contact at TAAN Media Centre

P.O. Box: 3612 Ganeshthan, Maligaon, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: 977-1-442773, 977-1-4440920, 977-1-4440921, Fax: 977-1-4419245

Email:taan@wlink.com.np; taan@mail.com.np Url: www.taan.org.np