KATHMANDU: The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged the government to give the trekking industry a separate chapter in the proposed Tourism Act 2081, as the legislation undergoes review by the parliamentary committee.

TAAN organised a policy interaction programme in Kathmandu on Thursday to gather feedback from senior mountain tourism leaders and entrepreneurs on a draft policy for the trekking sector prepared by the association.

The draft is expected to be submitted to the relevant government ministries and the parliamentary committee for consideration.

TAAN President Sagar Pandey chaired the interaction, while General Secretary Sonam Gyalgen Sherpa convened the programme. Senior Vice President Karma Sherpa outlined the objectives of the interaction, and Chief Executive Officer Ram Chandra Sedai presented the draft prepared for the trekking sector.

The association said it wants the government's proposed tourism legislation to properly recognise trekking as a distinct component of Nepal's tourism industry and incorporate the sector's concerns and requirements into the draft law.

Representatives and leaders from across the mountain tourism sector participated in the discussion, including officials from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOA), Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) and Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), along with former TAAN office-bearers and tourism entrepreneurs.

The programme brought together stakeholders to discuss and provide feedback on the proposed trekking-sector provisions before the draft is forwarded to government and parliamentary bodies.

TAAN said the interaction was aimed at ensuring the trekking industry's perspectives are incorporated as the Tourism Act 2081 moves through the legislative process.