Nepal bans drones in its skies fearing leak of sensitive info

Kathmandu, May 6: Nepal has banned flying of drones in its skies following the devastating earthquake, suspecting leakage of sensitive information through the use of the unmanned aerial vehicle, authorities said today.

After the April 25 quake, some foreign media and other aid agencies used drones to track the loss of human lives and damages to properties.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said in a statement that Nepal has banned the use of drones as they could leak sensitive information and pictures of its valuable heritage sites clicked illegally.

One such drone has been intercepted by Nepalese security agencies and handed over to the authorities concerned, said Nepal Police spokesperson Sarvendra Khanal.

The civil aviation agency officials said that it is learnt that some organisations used drones to take pictures and videos of Nepals' valuable heritage sites which could be misused later.

Those wishing to carry out research in Nepal and require assistance of drones need to take prior permission from the Civil Aviation Authority but no permission would be given to fly these objects in prohibited areas, an official at the civil aviation authority said.

PTI