Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality charged trekkers

POKHARA, Nov 01:Tourists visiting the trekking route within Kaski's Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality have to pay an entrance fee.

The rural municipality of Machhapuchchhre decided to charge tourists for infrastructure construction and management. Gopikrishna Aryal, Chief Administrative Officer, stated that the village council has decided to collect separate fees for internal and external tourists.

The rural municipality published a notice and informed about the matter. According to information, foreign tourists visiting the municipality's trekking route must pay 500 rupees, while Nepali tourists must pay 100 rupees.

He stated that the rural municipality will charge a tourism service fee for the construction and management of facilities such as general infrastructure construction, information center establishment, solar light installation, waste management, and other tourist trail facilities.

Ram Bahadur Gurung, Ward President of Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality-8, informed that the charge has been fixed in accordance with Schedule 6 Section 7 of the Economic Act of the Municipality 2080.

He stated that if the cost is fixed in this manner, there will be a record of trekking tourists, making it easier to make plans.

"At the moment, we have four trekking routes. Nobody knows how many people visit there each year. This would aid in the documentation here," Ward President Gurung stated, adding, "We have decided to collect fees in accordance with the guidelines." The funds received will be used to fund trekking paths. We are planning to construct an information center here. It also aids in rescue in the event of an accident."

Ward President Gurung stated that the fee would be implemented within a week. "Now we are making internal preparations," stated Ward President Gurung. We'll charge within a week."

Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality is home to the Mardi Himal Trekking Route, Machhapuchchhre Model Trek, Great Machhapuchchhre Trail (Khumai-Korchan Danda), and Ghalekhark Tarahill Trek.