Pokhara–Local people from Annapurna Rural Municipality have locked the padlock in some of the entry check posts of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), protesting the entry fee hike to Nepali and domestic tourists who wish to enter ACAP region.
Local people locked the Birethanti Kaski check post of ACAP today, informed journalist and a local of ACAP region resident Raj Bahadur Gurung in his Facebook wall. Nepal government had hiked entry fees for visitors including Nepalis on October 15, 2018. The government had revised entry fees for Annapurna Conservation Area, Manaslu Conservation Area and Gaurishankar Conservation Area.
As per the new provision, foreigners should pay Rs 3,000, SAARC nationals Rs 1,000 and Nepali nationals Rs 100 to enter above mentioned conservation areas. Rs 200 is charged for Nepali if the entry permit is not taken from Damside Pokhara, Beshishahar Lamjung and Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu.
Children below 10 years and locals are not liable for the entry fee. According to the government, the entry fees’ revision made as per the provision of Forest Regulation 2051 BS and Conservation Management Regulation 2053 BS.
In this regard, a meeting of more than 143 local people from Ghandruk, Lumle and Dangsing of Kaski urged for withdrawal of entry fees hike. Local people also formed a struggle committee coordinated by Tek Bahadur Gurung to protest the government move.
People are also going to lock the Pothana check post soon. They have demanded the closure of all check posts in Annapurna Rural Municipality and the end of compulsory provision of approval and permission to use the local resources like jungle, mines and wildlife.
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