KATHMANDU, Oct 25: The Sagarmatha National Park Office in Namche on Thursday sent a letter to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in Lukla, requesting a ban on helicopter flights and landings for commercial purposes in the area above Syangboche within the park. CAAN is yet to provide an official response to the letter.
A senior official from CAAN stated that the park cannot suddenly ban helicopter flights and landings at Everest Base Camp without proper groundwork, discussions, and prior information. The official said, "This is not just a matter for Nepal; it is an international issue. We cannot suddenly say to tourists who have booked helicopters to come to Everest that their flights are canceled without prior notice."
According to the official, there needs to be extensive discussions and preparations before implementing a ban on helicopter flights and landings. They believe that such a ban would seriously impact tourism development, so careful consideration is required before taking action on this matter.
The letter has been sent to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the Solukhumbu District Administration Office, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality, Bhagawati Prasad Gulma, a company of the Nepali Army stationed in Namche, the Mid-Hill Area Management Committee in Namche, and the local police office in Namche.
Syangboche airport not in operation for 10 years
The letter sent by the park to CAAN’s Lukla office states, "According to the decision of a joint meeting of the Sagarmatha National Park, Bhagawati Prasad Gulma, and the Mid-Hill Area Management Committee, as daily helicopter flights and landings for various purposes continue in the core area of Sagarmatha National Park at a rate of 50, there is unnecessary noise pollution in the park area, which is negatively affecting the habits and behaviors of wildlife. Therefore, we request a ban on helicopter flights and landings for commercial purposes in the area above Syangboche within the park."
The chief of Sagarmatha National Park, Shushma Rana, stated that such a letter was sent to the CAAN office in Lukla after extensive discussions with local residents and businesspeople, considering biodiversity, forests, and wildlife. She said, "We have requested a ban on helicopter flights and landings."
"We do not have the authority to impose a ban on flights and landings. We have only made a request," she stated. She added that there is no restriction on helicopter flights for transporting food or rescuing tourists.
Rana stated that approximately 100 helicopters reach Everest Base Camp levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 daily. "This has not only impacted the value, significance, and beauty of Everest but has also caused distress to local residents and wildlife due to low-flying helicopters. We have observed that the behavior of wild animals has changed as well," she stated.
She emphasized that imposing a ban on indiscriminate helicopter flights and landings would not significantly inconvenience tourists, saying, "Tourists prefer to walk from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. They want to enjoy the natural beauty of Everest while trekking." She added that the local community has also lost their livelihoods due to the helicopter operations.
Umesh Kumar Panthi, the chief of CAAN in Lukla, stated that they received a letter from the Sagarmatha National Park office requesting a ban on indiscriminate helicopter flights and landings at Everest Base Camp.
He mentioned that he would inform CAAN's head office about this, stating, "We will implement the directives given by the head office. Therefore, I don't want to say much about this right now." He emphasized that there needs to be extensive discussion and groundwork before making a decision to restrict helicopters at Everest Base Camp.
When inquiring about the letter, Bed Kumar Dhakal, spokesperson for the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, stated, "The core area within the Sagarmatha National Park is not only extremely sensitive but also listed as a World Heritage site. Therefore, there is a need for regulating indiscriminate helicopter flights in such a sensitive area."
