Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal

Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal

Abbreviation	TAAN
Formation	28 May 1978; 46 years ago (1978-05-28)
Founder	Ambica Shrestha
Founded at	Kathmandu, Nepal
Type	Nonprofit
Purpose	Mountain Tourism, Trekking
Headquarters	Kathmandu, Nepal
Location	Kathmandu, Nepal
Membership	Over 2,100[1]
President	Nilhari Bastola [2]
General Secretary	Binod Sapkota
Treasurer	Purushotam Timalsena
Executive Committee 2022-2024	Khum Bahadur Subedi, Krishna Prasad Dahal, Pradip Pandit, Dhan Bahadur Gurung, Homnath Bhattarai, Chhing Dorchi Sherpa, Ram Prasad Banjara, Raju Aryal, Sajana Tripathi, Kumar Lama, Ganesh Bahadur Adhikari, Lakpa Dorje Sherpa, Naminath Devkota, Subas Bhandari, Krishna Bahadur Pariyar, Buddha Kumari Adhikari, Gagan Raj Neupane, Hem Bahadur Karkim, Purushotam Rimal, Ramesh Pandey, Sunil Silwal, Dharma Raj Panthi (President TAAN Gandaki Province)
Key people	Ram Chandra Sedai (CEO)
Affiliations	Nepal Tourism Board Government of Nepal
Website	www.taan.org.np
Formerly called	Trekking Agent Association of Nepal
Save our Trekking Trails for Sustainable Tourism

The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) is a national umbrella organization of trekking agencies in Nepal. TAAN was founded in 1978 with the goal of promoting mountain tourism and trekking in Nepal. TAAN oversees the volunteer effort to build, maintain, protect, and promote the trekking trail in Nepal.[3] There are more than 2000 registered trekking agencies as members of TAAN. TAAN is registered as a non profit organization at the Kathamandu district admission office and also listed with the Social Welfare Council.

The TAAN is responsible for administering trekking permits for trekking in national parks and protected areas of Nepal, with the help of the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).[4]

TAAN has been lobbying for the establishment of a One Trekker, One Guide system since 2012 for the safety of travelers and to increase employment in the tourism industry. In April 2023, TAAN and the Nepal Tourism Board implemented the new regulation of the TIMS card, under which international trekkers must have a guide or porter while trekking in Nepal.[5] [6]

Everest (Sagarmatha) National Park permit and TIMS card in 2009

History

TAAN was initially named as Trekking Agents Association of Nepal. In October 2004, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) played a significant role in the rescue efforts during Cyclone Hudhud by coordinating with travel agencies to gather information on the trekkers. [7]

The World Food Programme (WFP) collaborated with TAAN after the 2015 earthquake to open community trails, reconstruct trekking trails, and distribute relief materials in several Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the Rasuwa, Dhading, and Gorkha Districts. [8]

See also

• Trekking peak
• Nepal Mountaineering Association

References

1. "Members of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal". TAAN Official Website. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
2. "Bastola elected TAAN president". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
3. "Trekking Trail Exploration and Maintenance in TAAN Priority". My Republica. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
4. "Tourists required to obtain TIMS card, hire guide for 14 trekking regions". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
5. "NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF TREKKING GUIDES/PORTERS EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2023". US Embassy Nepal. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
6. "Latest Travel Update by Nepal Tourism Borad". Nepal Tourism Board. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
7. "Cyclone Hudhud reaches Himalayas". Nepal Tourism Board. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
8. "WFP joins hands with TAAN, NMA to supply relief to remote villages". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 2 June 2024.

External links

• Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS)