Upper Mustang locals getting Tibet travel permits from today

By Thakur Prasad Acharya,Myagdi, Oct. 10: District Administration Office, Mustang, is all set to distribute permits to the residents of Upper Mustang to enter Tibet, an autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China. 

The DAO is preparing to issue entry permits to enable the residents of Upper Mustang to travel to the Tibetan territory through the Korala border crossing.

The Nepal-China border on the northern side of the country had remained closed for the past four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was opened a few days ago. 

The DAO will start issuing the entry permits from Tuesday.

The DAO has started distributing border passes for the locals of Lomanthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipalities.

After obtaining the entry pass, the locals of these rural municipalities will have the opportunity to travel to and from the Korala Pass. They will be able to travel up to 30 km into the Chinese territory, said DAO. 

Following the recent China visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', the Chinese authorities have decided to allow the residents of border areas of Nepal to travel on the basis of the entry passes. 

As per this arrangement, Chinese citizens will also be granted permission to travel up to 30 kilometres into Nepal, the DAO informed. 

Janak Raj Panta, Chief District Officer, informed that the DAO would start distributing border passes from the area administration office in Lo Manthang. 

The DAO has assigned two employees to the area administration office for the distribution of the entry permits.

Panta said, “The border passes have been printed. We will start distributing them to the residents in the border area starting from Tuesday."

Panta said, “The permits will be issued for one year, and renewal will be considered based on the situation.” 

Permit holders will have the privilege of travelling to the Chinese territory to buy and sell goods. 

Tasi Nharbu Gurung, the chairman of Lomanthang Rural Municipality said that China's decision to issue permits to the residents of the border area will provide relief to the inhabitants of Upper Mustang.

"We demanded that the Korala crossing should be opened. While the border may not be fully open, we hope that it will be beneficial for residents of the border area, as they can travel up to 30 kilometres and engage in commercial activities with the issued permit," he stated.

“Those eligible for the permit must come with their citizenship certificate, two recently taken passport-size photographs, letter of recommendation from the ward office, along with the verification of their residence and details of pass card if they have obtained one previously,” said Panta. 

The international trade fair that used to be held at the Korala crossing has not happened for the last four years. The fair has been halted due to the restrictions imposed by the Chinese authority due to the pandemic.

The postponement of the fair has also impacted the lives of the locals in Upper Mustang. 

It is expected that this arrangement, effective until the checkpoint is fully opened, will ease business activities for the people in the border area.