Seek Durable Solution To Chopper Flight Row

Studies have shown that mountain regions across the world have persistently witnessed a gradual loss of snow and ice over some decades owing to rising global temperatures. If this trend continues, the situation may worsen in the future, making mountains bare and affecting lives and livelihoods in multiple ways. Those regions could lose their attraction among tourists. Being home to the Mt. Everest and numerous other beautiful mountains, the Khumbu Region has remained a major tourist hotspot, with a growing number of trekkers, mountaineers and other nature lovers visiting this region every year. Because of rapid increase in tourism activities, this region has been facing a myriad of ecological issues.  

Fragile environment

Located at an elevation of 5,364 above sea level, Everest Base Camp (EBC) becomes overcrowded with adventurers and support staff members in the peak tourist season of spring each year. The mountain’s growing popularity has resulted in a substantial annual rise in the number of climbers willing to reach its summit. Climbers are sometimes required to stay in long queues before getting to the summit owing to huge crowds. Thus, the mounting human activities have posed a threat for the fragile local environment. 

Amidst such concerns, there has been a debate over the use of helicopters for carrying tourists on Everest sightseeing tours. In view of rising disturbances caused by choppers to wildlife, schools and offices in the Khumbu Region, the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and other stakeholders had decided to put a ban on the commercial chopper operations over the park one month back. The decision was supposed to come into force from January 1. However, the choppers were permitted to fly into the region for rescuing tourists and locals and transporting construction materials. 

The locals say that the growing number of chopper flights in the national park has reached their alarming levels. Some 6,000 chopper flights are recorded over the park in the spring and autumn. According to conservationists, the excess noise caused by low-flying choppers disturbs wild animals so much. It can affect their behaviours, including feeding and breeding. The choppers’ noises can make them leave their habitat and run into human settlements.  

Considering this, the local government had joined hands with SNP for protecting the wildlife and the environment by restricting commercial operations of helicopters. But, under huge pressure from chopper companies, SNP recently eased chopper flight limitations. The emergence of disputes among the local government, SNP and the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) led to the suspension of commercial helicopter services in the Region. As an umbrella association of domestic airlines and helicopters, AOAN had also warned of stopping all short takeoff and landing (STOL) services in the region over safety concerns. It had expressed its worries as some local youth clubs had directly or indirectly threatened helicopter companies. 

The local government, however, is not happy with the park’s new decision. The debate over the matter has now been intensified after the withdrawal of the decision by the park. Mentioning that its mission is to help protect the matchless ecosystems, wildlife, forests and rich cultural heritage of the Khumbu Region, the park authorities have allowed helicopters to fly, land, and hover within the park. SNP, however, has said private helicopter operations will get permissions only when they strictly follow existing laws, prioritise safety, pay valid taxes, and operate without harming biodiversity, wildlife and forested areas. 

The local government is not in favour of allowing helicopters to resume commercial flights into the region. The local authorities are said to have attempted to reach an agreement with the helicopter companies by letting them fly from Lukla to Kala Patthar or EBC and back, without landing. But the chopper companies did not accept the proposal. They said it was unsafe to fly that way. However, efforts are still underway to resolve this issue. 

SNP has been recognised as a UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage Site since 1979. The park hosts thousands of tourists every year, making a significant contribution to local and national economies through tourism-based jobs and revenues. The government generates a huge amount of foreign exchanges through issuing climbing permits alone. Though tourism is the Khumbu Region is a seasonal business, it imparts jobs and other livelihood opportunities to many people, including locals. But there has been a complaint that commercial helicopter services have taken jobs of many porters. Even hotel and lodge operators say that they have lost their business to choppers flights.    

Important role

There is no doubt that helicopter services play an important role in tourism promotion, construction, and emergency rescue operations. Chopper tours have made it possible for many tourists to have a lifetime experience of sightseeing the world’s tallest peak closely. Those who do not have much time to stay in Nepal opt for helicopter sightseeing tours. It takes several days for them to complete their trek to the various areas of the Khumbu Region. The tourists who are not physically fit for rigorous trekking are also found taking helicopter tours. So, the ongoing dispute over the operation of commercial helicopter flights must be resolved amicably based on the principle that tourism development and conservation efforts go side by side. Restricting chopper services alone will not help address all the ecological issues facing the region. The responsible authorities must find a sustainable solution to this problem.  

(The author is a former deputy executive editor of this daily.)