Regarding The Use Of Drones In Nepal, it turns out that a separate permit is required for this, and a fee must be paid as prescribed. Even though drone usage is legal in Nepal, the process involves various complexities and hurdles across different locations. While many people already use drones extensively, the system should be standardised so that everyone operates under the same rules. Ideally, a one-time payment should suffice for long-term usage rights.
Nowadays, many people own drones and use them to showcase their locations or businesses. While having rules and regulations is certainly a good thing, the associated fees should not be excessive.
For instance, if an ordinary content creator buys a drone and operates it without registering—working in their own way—they can face unpleasant situations or difficulties if they encounter the police or other authorities.
Although drone usage is legal in Nepal and widely practised, the government needs to manage the regulatory process more effectively. It is certainly a good idea for an individual to visit a location and operate their drone. However, I feel that imposing a specific fee for this is unnecessary; currently, the initial registration costs $50, with an additional $10 plus VAT required for renewal the following year.
While it is positive that they conduct checks and verify details before entering the drone into their system, I find the requirement to pay a registration fee rather surprising. I looked into this matter and found that registration and permits are mandatory—especially if you are flying in public areas or near police stations, where the process can be somewhat difficult and requires obtaining official permission.
At times, I feel it might be better not to own a drone at all, given that they are designed for aerial flight and capturing footage to share; however, for companies and organisations, they are an excellent tool and highly beneficial for various operations. Take, for instance, ordinary or new YouTubers who buy drones on their own initiative; while they may know about the registration requirement, they often lack the financial means, having scraped together funds just to make the initial purchase. Sellers really ought to explain the rules—what is permitted and what isn’t—and provide guidance on the proper procedures for operating the drone if one decides to go ahead and buy one.
From my online research, drone use is legally recognised and holds great potential, especially for the tourism sector. Nepal has many national parks and conservation areas; operating in these zones requires consultation with various stakeholders and obtaining specific permissions or permits—essentially declaring, “I intend to fly here,” and outlining the planned operations.
However, regarding people based here in Nepal, we shouldn’t simply penalise them or levy fines without cause. Action is appropriate only if a legal violation has occurred and the individual refuses to comply with the rules. That said, I feel there is a need for better understanding regarding the registration process, particularly when operating in unfamiliar or remote areas. Since drone registration is supposed to be free, Nepali citizens need to understand this aspect; ideally, authorised sellers should handle the registration process—registering the device in the individual’s name at no cost. Subsequently, the resulting documentation or submission forms should be used to facilitate the approval process, which can be managed via email or other appropriate channels.