Calls for review of restricted areas
Summary
Locals in Humla have called for a review of the district’s restricted-area designation, saying it is hampering tourism development and access to key destinations. Officials and residents want the Department of Immigration to reconsider the rules as road access, communications and tourist arrivals improve.
Key Points
- Residents, political parties, civil society members and tourism entrepreneurs in Humla want restricted areas opened up to support tourism.
- The Department of Immigration has sought suggestions on whether the existing restricted-area provisions should be revised, including for the Hilsa border point.
- An all-party district meeting recommended removing all current restricted areas while keeping drone restrictions near sensitive border and government sites.
- Former Karnali Province Chief Minister Jeevan Bahadur Shahi welcomed the review and said the rules had made tourism promotion more difficult.
