Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) authorities have taken a drone into custody after it was reportedly operated without prior approval inside the conservation area.
According to a notice issued on October 14, 2026, the information was received at the Tourist Checkpost and Information Centre in Chhomrong, where Bangladeshi nationals returning from Annapurna Base Camp were reportedly found carrying a drone that had been operated within the conservation area without obtaining permission from the concerned authorities.
The drone has been taken into custody to facilitate the necessary investigation and legal proceedings.
Tourists Urged to Obtain Approval Before Drone Use
ACAP has urged tourists and other concerned stakeholders to obtain the required permits and approvals from the relevant authorities before operating drones within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
The authorities have stressed that drone operations in protected areas are subject to applicable rules and permissions. Tourists planning to use unmanned aerial devices are therefore required to comply with the prescribed procedures before conducting flights.
Unauthorized Drone Flights May Lead to Legal Action
According to Section 17 of the Procedure Relating to the Operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, 2075, drone operators are required to comply with prescribed flight conditions.
The provision states that operating a drone without complying with the required flight conditions may result in action under prevailing laws. The procedure also allows authorities to confiscate drones operated without the necessary permission.
The latest incident serves as a reminder to international and domestic visitors that drone use in the Annapurna Conservation Area requires prior approval from the concerned authorities.
Authorities have called on tourists to follow the applicable regulations to ensure responsible drone use and compliance with conservation-area rules.
