Is it compulsory to hire a local certified guide for trekking in the Great Himalayan National Park?

Question

I am a fairly experienced and soon to be technically qualified(meaning Advanced First Aid and Wilderness Skills certification) Himalayan trekker.
I wanted to know if hiring a guide to trek in GHNP(Great Himalayan National Park) is compulsory or not as I wanted the hiking group to consist of just my friends and I .

Answer 1

Short answer: Not really, as long as your venture falls into a hike.

Although you are technically experienced, the advance first-aid certification does not make one technically capable of leading a expedition in Himalayas.

For any of the mountaineering adventures above 6000 m, IMF mandates that a expedition leader should have a Advance Mountaineering Course certification from any of it's affiliated organizations and should have registered a successful ascent of a 6000 m peak.

However, you are clearly terming your venture as a hike, I assume it ill be at most up to 4500 m considering the GHNP region. It would be better if you opt for local guides and support staff, but no governing body mandates you to hire a guide. Also, hiring a guide and/or local support staff eases out the procedure with hiking permits in the region.