Drone Law in Nepal

Drone

A drone is a must-have gadget these days to get a perfect aerial shot of wonderful landscapes and capture beautiful memories for a lifetime. The lightweight and portable device will capture photos and videos from different angles. Of course, you would want to use it during your trip to Nepal, right?

If you are wondering about the laws and regulations regarding the use of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO), then don’t worry. We have presented everything you need to care about while flying your drone over the sky of Nepal.

Registration and Permission

It is illegal in Nepal to fly a drone without the permission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). It might cost you with fine or chances of being arrested if not registered. You can use the form below for registering your drone with CAAN: http://caanepal.gov.np/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/RPA-Application-1.pdf.

You will receive a unique registration number for your drone after registration. No matter the flying range and weight of the drone, registration is strictly mandatory.

If your drone has the capacity to fly above 200 feet and weighs more than 2 kg, you need to get permission from the District Administration Office or Ministry for Home Affairs also. For this, you need to submit a separate hand-written application mentioning the unique registration number given by CAAN. The permission is valid for 3 months and you can easily renew the validity period submitting application of renewal.

Drones flying below 200 feet in public places need approval of local administration office. For instance, if you want to fly drones above national parks, then you need to obtain permission of national park administration.

If you are using drone for study or research purpose, permission from the department relating to the line of study or research is to be obtained.

If you are flying drones only up to 50 feet for recreational purpose or for filming celebrations, you don’t need to obtain such permissions.

Is Drone Insurance Mandatory in Nepal?

Though it is not mandatory, you would better insure your drone against possible damages. Basically, two types of drone insurance are offered:

1. Drone Liability Insurance

If you have obtained liability insurance for drone, it will cover all the costs associated with third party damage due to operation issue or technical defaults.

2. Drone Hull Insurance

Drone hull insurance covers all the cost incurred for the repair or cost in case you encounter with some damages while flying drone.

If you are obtaining drone insurance, pay attention to the intended use, coverage, flight areas, price and scope of drone insurance. The need for insurance increases along with the risk you are willing to take. For instance, if you are flying over densely populated areas, the need for liability insurance increases and competing with your friends flying several drones at a time increases the need for hull insurance.

Restricted Areas for Drone

1. You can’t fly drone in a way that disturbs the airplane flight. It is prohibited to fly drones in air route and 5 km around the airport.
2. Horizontal distance up to 5 km from the international border.
3. Singha Durbar Area including their aerial radius and the residence of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.
4. Maitighar Mandala, Swyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Budanilkantha, Durbar Square Areas and archeological areas.
5. Up to 1,000m of the Office of Nepalese Army and Nepal Armed Force.
6. Up to 500m of security agencies like an embassy, Central Bureau of Investigation, etc.

If you use drones in the restricted areas or operate in a way causing disturbance of peace and security of others, security agencies may confiscate your drone and a heavy burden of fine may fall upon you.

Applicable Laws and Regulations

Currently, the following laws govern the use of UAV operation in Nepal:

1. Flight Operations Directive No.7, CAAN
2. Procedure for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flying, Ministry of Home Affairs

Contact

If you have further queries or you need any information regarding the use of drone in Nepal, you can contact CAAN:

Phone: +977 1 426 2389

Email: dgca@caanepal.gov.np