Indian Tourist's Drone Seized in Mustang for Flying Without Permission

Mustang. Police have seized the drone camera of an Indian tourist for flying a pilotless drone camera without permission in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Mustang.

The Mustang District Police Office has stated that a drone camera was seized from an Indian tourist on Wednesday evening at around 5:00 PM near the Syang Khola bridge in Gharphatjong Rural Municipality-3, Mustang, for flying it without permission.

The drone camera, weighing 240 grams and manufactured by DJI, belonging to Shivam Kumar, a 26-year-old citizen from Vaishali district, Bihar province, India, was seized by the police, informed Police Inspector Santosh Basnyal.

The drone camera, seized by a police team dispatched from the District Police Office for necessary action in accordance with the procedures related to the operation of pilotless aerial devices, has been sent to the Jomsom branch office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, he said.

To fly a drone camera, it must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and since Mustang is an Annapurna Conservation Area, prior written permission must be obtained from the District Administration Office and ACAP for flying a drone camera. Police also stated that the rules were violated as the drone was flown within the distance stipulated by the Jomsom airport area.

Individuals or organizations wishing to use drone cameras for filming movies and documentaries in Mustang must obtain the official registration details of the drone camera and prior approval from the administration and ACAP.