Nepal-China Tinker border in Darchula to open from Shrawan 7 to 9

Darchula: The Nepal-China border at Tinkerbhanjyang in Byas Rural Municipality-1, Darchula, is scheduled to open from Shrawan7 to 9, allowing cross-border trade to resume temporarily.

The decision to open the border at Pillar No. 1 of Tinkerbhanjyang comes after the local administration of Taklakot, Tibet, notified traders from Chhangru and Tinker of the reopening. Local traders are now preparing to travel to Taklakot, China, to conduct business during the opening window.

Yogesh Bohara, a local trader from Chhangru and central member of the Nepal-China Friendship Association, said that he was informed about the opening by the Taklakot administration and has communicated the message to Darchula’s Chief District Officer Anil Poudel. However, CDO Poudel stated that no official confirmation had yet been received from the Tibetan administration.

According to Bohara, Nepali traders, who have long been involved in traditional trade with Taklakot, usually deal in food and clothing items during a trading season that lasts about four and a half months. He noted that approximately 70 to 80 Nepali traders rely on this seasonal trade for their livelihood.

The District Administration Office reports that 146 individuals from Byas Rural Municipality and 11 from other municipalities have renewed their Tibet entry permits this year. Additionally, 68 residents from Byas and 37 from other areas have received new permits, according to Assistant Chief District Officer Dhami.

China has constructed a security post and dirt road at Sapu, roughly half an hour from the Tinkerbhanjyang border pillar. Nepali traders must have their goods inspected at this check post before entering Taklakot, local traders confirmed.

On the Nepali side, a Border Outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force and a Nepal Police post operate in Chhiyalek, Byas-1. The Tinkerbhanjyang border, located six to seven kilometers ahead of Chhiyalek—a five-hour journey—had remained closed during the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened last year. The border has traditionally served as a vital link for trade between Chhangru, Tinker, and Taklakot.