Mustang. 10 containers carrying fruits from North Korala border point have started entering Nepal gradually after checking at the customs.

After the Rasuwa-Kerung border point was closed following the devastating floods at Bhotekoshi of Rasuwa on August 24, fruits being imported from there have started to be diverted to Korala transit point.

Nepali containers have started returning fruits from Kerung border point at Liji at Korala border point after they arrived at Liji of Korala checkpoint.

According to Bidur Chudal, chief of the Mustang Customs Office, fruits have started entering Nepal for the first time through Korala checkpoint. On Sunday and Monday, 10 containers of goods entered Nepal from Korala border point have returned to Nepal after passing customs check.

It is not yet known how many canteens have been returned from the Korala border point after the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point and Tatopani border point were completely closed. According to Bandana Gharti Magar, a representative of the Plan Quarantine Office at Lomanthang-4, Nhechung, 9,450 kg of dragon food, 15,400 kg of mangoes, 87,000 kg of apples, 26,100 kg of pears and 8,000 kg of avocado (ghee fruit) were checked at the quarantine consignment in two days.

A large quantity of apples has been imported from Kerung. The office has the facility of alternative import of fruit products. However, the equipment for testing the fruits has not been arranged yet. The Plan Quarantine in North Korala, established in the sixties of Nepal-China, has come into operation for the first time.

After the closure of Kerung border point and Tatopani border point in the north, the fruit containers stopped there were returned to Koralana border in coordination with the customs department and businessmen. The Plan Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center in coordination with the Department of Customs has already deployed two senior crop protection officers to the quarantine office in Lomanthang for the import of fruits returned.

The container importers, exporters, customs agents, and all the stakeholders who have been sent back from Kerung border point will have to follow the process. The ‘Plant Quarantine and Protection Act, 2064’ has to be followed before sending the consignments scheduled for Timure, Rasuwa and Tatopani border points of Sindhupalchowk to the alternative border point.

Instructions have been issued to carry out the necessary process to ensure that the rules and existing laws are followed by entry permits, phytosanitary conditions and other procedures.