Trekking workers, who had announced a series of protest against the recently introduced payment system for food on the Annapurna Trekking Circuit, halted their protest today following an agreement with the stakeholders.

Hoteliers and restaurant operators on the ATC had introduced a new system for payment for food from September 17, as per which tourists and their attendants on the route were required to pay in advance for food and buy food coupons.

In protest against the provision, trekking workers under the banner of Union of Trekking Travels Rafting Workers Nepal had started the agitation from September 27.

Among other protest programmes, ban on entering the trekking route will be announced for visitors from October 8. The protest was halted today after the agitating workers reached a four-point agreement with the stakeholders. “As we’ve reached agreement, we’ve ended the agitation from today,” said UNITRAV Gandaki Chairperson Bijaya KC.

As per the agreement; tourists and their attendants on the ATC from October 9 won’t have to pay in advance, that is, they will be allowed to pay under the “eat before you pay” system on the spot where they take food. Similarly, agreement has been reached to resolve the problems faced on the trekking route and the Manaslu Conservation Area.

Published on: 2 October 2018 | The Himalayan Times