KATHMANDU: Nepal's Department of Tourism has put adventure and recreational sports operators on notice, ordering those running activities without proper permits to shut down immediately and apply for authorisation within 30 days — or face legal consequences.

The directive, issued by the department's Adventure and Recreational Tourism section, covers a broad sweep of popular tourist-facing activities: bungee jumping, swing, canyoning, sky diving, zip-line, zip coaster, jet ski, motorboat, and similar recreational sports. All operators are reminded that safety standards must be fully observed and that permits are a legal prerequisite, not optional.

Under Section 45(a) of the Tourism Act 2035 and Section 93 of the Tourism Industry and Service Delivery Guidelines 2070, the Department of Tourism is the sole authority empowered to licence companies and organisations offering adventure and recreational tourism services. 

The department said complaints about unlicensed operations at multiple locations around the country had prompted its heightened scrutiny.

Operators currently active without permits have been told to stop at once. 

Those who have already obtained permits but need to regularise their status are asked to contact the department within the 30-day window, bringing all required documentation. 

Companies and organisations that fail to initiate the licensing process within the deadline will be subject to legal action under applicable law.