Newsgroup: it.hobby.viaggi
Titolo: NEPAL Avviso di Sicurezza

TRAVEL ADVICE 
from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade 
Nepal
This Advice is current for Thursday 14 November 2002 EDT 
The Advice was issued on Thursday 14 November 2002 17:51:15 EDT 
This advice has been reviewed. It contains new information or advice
but the overall level of advice has not been changed. 
Australians in Nepal should maintain a very high level of personal
security awareness at all times and closely monitor events that might
affect their safety. Kathmandu and other major cities remain calm,
despite the postponement of the November 2002 election. However,
Maoist activity including anti-government bombings can take place at
any time and in any part of the country including Kathmandu.
Australians should avoid areas of fighting between Maoist insurgents
and the Royal Nepalese Army and should not travel to Banke, Dang,
Syangja, Surkhet, Rukum, Kalikot, Achham, Jajarkot, Rolpa, Salyan and
Gorka. 
Safety and Security 
Australians should maintain a very high level of personal security
awareness at all times and closely monitor events that might affect
their safety. They should avoid areas of fighting between Maoist
insurgents and the Royal Nepalese Army. Recent incidents of Maoist
violence in Nepal, including Kathmandu, have included coordinated
bombings of government buildings or installations and attacks on
prominent Nepalese individuals. 
Australians should avoid public demonstrations, particularly during
Maoist national strikes or bandhs, when many businesses are closed and
the lack of public transport or taxis can make travel to and from
Kathmandu, Pokhara and other airports difficult. Although no tourists
have been injured to date, Australians are advised to be particularly
vigilant. 
Australians should avoid unnecessary night time travel. As the
security situation can change rapidly, Australian tourists should
maintain flexible travel plans. 
The United States Government has warned its citizens of a heightened
risk to American citizens and American interests in Nepal,
particularly outside the Kathmandu valley. There has been an increase
in anti-American rhetoric by the Maoist leadership, there have been
threats against, and robberies of, American trekkers and two
businesses with American affiliations have had property destroyed. 
Australians are advised not to travel to the districts of Banke, Dang,
Syangja, Surkhet, Rukum, Kalikot, Achham, Jajarkot, Rolpa, Salyan and
Gorka following coordinated bombings by Maoist guerrillas in these
districts. Australians should exercise caution when travelling to the
Solukhumbu townships of Salleri, Faplu and Lukla following recent
Maoist attacks in those areas. Lukla is one of the main airports for
entry into the Everest region. In addition, travel along the Anriko
highway where it passes through the district of Sindhupalchok and
Kavrepalanchok should be avoided due to significant military activity
in the area. Road travel at night in rural areas should also be
avoided. Australians are urged to consult the Australian Embassy for
the latest security information relating to these or other areas. 
Demands for money and cameras from trekkers by armed Maoists have
increased. As a result it is recommended that Australians confine
trekking to the Annapurna conservation area ( the site of the
Annapurna circuit and Annapurna sanctuary treks) and the Sagarmatha
national park (the site of the Everest base camp and Gokyo
treks).Australian citizens trekking in Nepal should not travel alone.
Trekking alone or without a professional trekking guide is dangerous.
Only reputable trekking companies should be used. Tourists should
check with their respective trekking agencies as to the security
situation in their proposed area of trekking. Trekkers should be well
equipped, physically fit, in good health and aware of the dangers of
altitude sickness, which can be fatal. Special regulations apply to
mountaineering expeditions and individuals participating in them.
Permits are required by all parties although a special endorsement
from a recognised national mountaineering club is no ! longer
necessary. Australians wishing to climb in Nepal should seek
information either through reputable trekking companies in Nepal and
Australia, from the Nepalese Consulates-General in Australia
(Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney) or from the Australian
mountaineers information network at 
http://www.aminwebsite.com
 
Because of political unrest, telecommunications facilities have been
targeted in some parts of the country. Australian trekkers should be
aware that it may be difficult to obtain rapid helicopter evacuation
if they were to fall ill or suffer a serious accident. In addition,
the destruction of two helicopters in recent months has reduced the
availability of helicopters for rescue. New security rules issued by
the government have made it more difficult to obtain clearance for
helicopters to land in areas where there is no army or police
presence. 
Concerns have been raised about the potential for glacial lake
flooding, including in the Dolakha district of central Nepal during
the monsoon season (June to early September). Travellers to such
regions (including Jiri township and Ramechap district) should consult
the Australian Embassy for the latest information. 
General 
Driving in Nepal is hazardous. Travel by long distance buses, which
are generally overcrowded and poorly maintained, is a particular
concern. 
Travellers should be aware that Cirrus keycards are not accepted in
Nepal and the three Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in Kathmandu
cannot be relied upon. While credit cards are widely accepted,
Australians are also advised to carry travellers cheques. 
Australians travelling on to the Tibetan region of China should be
aware that only those travelling in organised tour groups may be given
visas. Travellers should consult the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu at
an early stage. 
Australians are reminded that, when overseas, they are subject to
local laws and a violation of local law may result in a jail sentence
served in a local prison. 
Entry Requirements 
Visa conditions are subject to change. For up-to-date visa
information, Australians should contact the nearest Consulate-General
of Nepal, well in advance of travel. 
Health Issues 
For information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, travellers
should consult their doctor or a travel clinic. Contact details for
travel clinics can be found in our 'Travelling Well' brochure
available on the department's website. 
Travel and Health Insurance 
Travel and health insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas
travel. Travellers should check with their insurer to make sure that
their policy meets their needs. In particular, insurance should have
provision for helicopter and medical evacuation, including for
high-risk activity. Medical treatment at western clinics in Nepal,
where available, is expensive. Travellers should be aware that some
insurance companies will not pay claims which arise when travellers
have disregarded the Government's travel advice.
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Still Current at: 19 November 2002  
Updated: 19 November 2002  
 
 Nepal 
 
SUMMARY
The state of emergency first declared in November 2001 has lapsed.
Increased Maoist activity in Kathmandu. Bombs were being detonated
within the city including on Sunday, 27 October in areas frequented by
tourists. British nationals planning to travel to Nepal should monitor
events carefully, the danger of being in the wrong place at the wrong
time is always present and the situation could deteriorate quickly.
Following local developments and the terrorist bombing of a nightclub
in Bali on 12 October, UK nationals world-wide should be aware of the
risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places,
including tourist sites. The FCO Website will be updated regularly
with the latest security and travel information. Additional
information can be found at our own website at 
www.britain.gov.np
. 
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Since November 2001, Maoist violence has taken place throughout the
country often causing widespread disruption. There have been nation
wide bomb attacks and ambushes on the Police and security forces. In
the last few months there have been daily bomb incidents in Kathmandu
resulting in some injuries and deaths.
Bomb attacks have been made against government establishments, public
and residential areas and Patan and Bahaktapur important sites of
worship and major tourist attractions. On Sunday, 27 October there
were three bomb attacks in central Kathmandu. Two of these on
locations frequented by British citizens - a shopping and restaurant
complex (a small explosive device in a toilet), on the edge of Thamel,
the main tourist hub of the city, and the petrol bombing of a number
of motorcycles in the car park of a cinema close by. The bombs are
reported to have caused a number of minor injuries to passers by.
Should British nationals finds themselves near the scene of a recently
exploded device, we strongly advise that they move away from the area
quickly and resist being drawn to view the incidents. There have been
indications that Maoists may target security forces manning cordon
points around such incidents and where spectators often gather.
An unofficial curfew remains in force in Kathmandu, including Thamel.
Bars and restaurants tend to close well before midnight. We urge
British nationals to heed requests by the authorities and promptly
vacate bars and restaurants when requested.
The Maoists continue to attack infrastructural targets including,
utility supplies, bridges and telecommunications. Trekkers must
therefore be aware that if they encounter problems of ill health or
have a serious accident it may be difficult to obtain a rapid
helicopter evacuation. Trekkers are advised to remain on established
routes, in groups (never trek alone or become separated from larger
groups) and with reputable trekking agencies. However, with Maoists
operating across the country there have been several incidents,
including on a number of trekking routes including the Annapurna
circuit, where Maoists have demanded money and/or equipment to allow
passage. The risk of such an encounter is increasing.
Night time curfews continue to be declared in a number of towns and
districts at short notice. Army and Police checkpoints are frequently
encountered, including in the capital, resulting in extended journey
times.
All British nationals must remain vigilant at all times. Crowds and
gatherings, wherever encountered, and travel at night time should all
be avoided. No area can be regarded as completely safe; it cannot be
ruled out that British nationals could inadvertently be caught up in
the violence.
ROAD SAFETY
Traffic in Nepal drives on the left as in the UK. The general standard
of driving throughout the country is poor, badly regulated and in the
Kathmandu valley, roads are very congested. Many drivers are neither
properly licensed, trained nor insured and vehicles are poorly
maintained. Outside of central Kathmandu pedestrian footpaths are
mostly non-existent and motorists do not yield right of way to
pedestrians.
Bus travel is particular hazardous, multiple fatality accidents are
common. British tourists are advised to avoid travel on overnight
buses.
Road conditions are generally poor and difficult even in the best of
conditions. During the monsoon (June to September), many roads outside
the Kathmandu valley are prone to landslides and become impassable.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Visitors should not become involved with drugs. Possession of very
small quantities will almost certainly lead to imprisonment.
Visitors are advised to respect local customs. Women should avoid
inappropriate clothing in public places (shorts, sleeveless tops etc).