In a directive issued on Wednesday, the department stated that it had received complaints that some agencies had advertised 'arrangements for spending the night in camps' in the Himalayan region related to the Everest expedition, and directed that such practices be stopped immediately.
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The Department of Tourism has issued a strict warning to agencies operating mountaineering and trekking-related activities not to violate the prevailing laws and regulations.
In a directive issued by the department on Wednesday, it stated that it had received complaints that some agencies had advertised ‘night camp arrangements’ in the Himalayan region related to the Everest expedition, and directed them to immediately stop such practices.
According to Himal Gautam, director of the department, although the mountaineering regulations allow climbers’ family members to stay at the base camp for a maximum of two days, there is a provision that the department must be informed for that.
According to him, people going for trekking are not allowed to set up camps at the base camp. He said that there is a clear rule that only climbers and permitted members are allowed to stay at the base camp of any mountain.
The directive states that such activities should be stopped immediately as they are against the prevailing legal provisions. The department has also warned that action will be taken as per the law if the rules are violated.
In this regard, correspondence has been sent to all the concerned liaison officers and agencies for regulation, and a memorandum has also been sent to the temporary field office at the Everest Base Camp for information.
This step by the department has once again highlighted the need to conduct mountaineering and trekking activities in Nepal within a more systematic, transparent and legal framework.
