Nepal bans trekking ahead of PM Modi's visit

Kathmandu [Nepal], May 8 : The officials in Nepal have put a two-day prohibition on trekking along the Thorong La Pass Trekking (Annapurna Circuit) route ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day State visit to the country, commencing on May 11.

The District Administration Office of Manang and Mustang have proscribed trekking on the Manang-Thorong La and Mustang-Thorong La-Manang trekking route on May 11 and 12. During the two-day phase, helicopters are barred from flying in the area, reported the Kathmandu Post.

Hundreds of tourists have paid fees to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) to embark on trekking along the circuit.

With this decision being implemented, it is highly likely that trekkers will find themselves in a tight spot as a few of them have already begun it and a few of them are preparing to commence for the same.

"Trekkers who have already embarked on the trek will face problems. It the government's decision and we have to abide by it," the report quoted ACAP Chief Binod Basnet, as saying.