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TRC comes into force

The much-awaited provision of Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) has come into force from October 21, 2006. Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has started issuing TRC documents to trekkers from Thamel and Pokhara counters.

At the inaugural ceremony on Saturday at TRC office, Thamel, on Saturday (Oct. 21, 2006), Mr. Narendra B.C., the President of TAAN, launched TRC by issuing a TRC document.

He expressed the view that the provision of TRC would help control illegal operations in the trekking business. Similarly, Mr. Deepak Mahat, Immediate Past President of TAAN and coordinator of TRC Implementation Special Taskforce, said that the new provision would contribute to the sustainable development of Nepal's mountain tourism. Mr. Mahat urged all the TAAN's member agencies to extend necessary support and cooperation to TAAN for its effective implementation. Present at the ceremony were TAAN Executive Committee, high level government officials, general members, journalists and other invitees.

The visiting tourists, who are to interested to visit the general trekking areas of Nepal, are required to receive TRC documents only through the trekking agencies that are registered with the Government of Nepal. They will have to take the documents during their whole trips. In order to monitor TRC implementation, TAAN is going to activate its check posts in the general trekking areas from October 27, 2006. With a view to ensuring an effective implementation of the provision of TRC, TAAN has been working in close coordination with the national park check posts, conservation area project check posts and police check posts along the trekking routes.

As an umbrella organisation of the trekking agencies registered with the government, TAAN has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the mandatory provision of TRC. Meanwhile, as of Thursday (October 26, 2006), the TRC counter at Thamel alone issued TRC documents to about 550 trekkers interested to visit various trekking areas of the country.

Why is TRC necessary?
To ensure safety and security of trekkers.
To maintain a record system that includes personal details of trekkers, trekking routes, handling agencies, duration, etc.
To upgrade the service standard and contribute for better management of sustainable mountain tourism development in Nepal.
To help carry out search and rescue operations for trekkers in case of natural calamities and other accidents by locating their whereabouts.
To check the illegal operations in the trekking industry of the country.

TRC Regulatory Provisions
Every trekker has to necessarily obtain a TRC document before they enter any of the prescribed trekking regions and routes.
Trekkers are required to keep TRC along with them throughout their treks.
TRC has to be shown to TAAN authorities, national park check posts, conservation area check posts and police check posts on demand.

Deviation from the prescribed trekking areas shall be taken as a violation of law of the Government of Nepal and that punishment would be imposed in accordance with the Government rules.
Trekkers are required to keep their copies of passports along with them for verification during trekking.
A trekker or a group of trekkers is required to employ at least one field staff of the concerned trekking agency.
TRC shall be non-transferable, non-refundable and non-endorsable and valid only for single entry.
TRC has to be obtained only through the trekking agencies registered with the Government of Nepal.

TRC Regulated Trekking Areas

Rara National Park
Khaptad National Park
Dhaulagiri Region
Annapurna Region
Lang tang National Park
Makalu Barun National Park
Sagarmatha National Park
Rolwaling Area

The Trekking Areas where TRC is not Required
The Shailung area bordering with Kavre, Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha districts, and Timal area of Kavre district, Bhairav Kunda and Panch Pokhari areas of Sindhupalchowk

The surrounding areas of the Kathmandu Valley such as Kakani, Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and Namobouddha.
The trekking routes to Ganesh Himal via Gorkha and Lamjung, Nuwakot, Dhading and Rasuwa districts.
Ghalegaon, Ghanpokhara, Panchase, Sarangkot within Lamjung and Kaski districts.
Sirubari of Syangja district.
Millennium trekking area lying in between Kaski and Syangja districts.
South of Solu below Lukla.