Nepal bans commercial helicopter flights in Everest region

 Nepal bans commercial helicopter flights in the Everest region

Due to the impact of air and sound pollution, Everest National Park bans helicopter flights around the central part of the Everest region. Everest commercial flights impact the wilderness of the National Park area so that all commercial flights will be banned from 1 January 2025.

Everest National Park has noticed that all the helicopter companies Air Dynasty, Prabhu, Kailash, Annapurna, Mountain, Altitude, Fishtel, Shree, Cymric, Heli Everest, and Manang Air followed their decision.  Everest National Park ( Sagarmatha National Park ) strictly bans all commercial sightseeing flights in the Khumbu area. Bhagwati Prasad Gulm, Namche, and Everest National Park Intermediate Area Management Committee of Nepal Army and Police office of Namche and district administration office of the Salleri and National Park and Wildlife Conservation department have also asked to coordinate the decision accordingly.

However, commercial heli flights around the Everest Khumbu region have badly affected local trade, employment, and wild animals. Helicopters are banned from transporting cargo only below the area of Pangbouche. They can transport cargo via local porters, donkeys, and yak. However, the local administration and Nepal army will monitor the flights at all times.

However, they can be permitted for emergency and rescue mission flights with having documents from the health institute, buffer zone, and Warda office, etc. The park authority informed that violations of these new rules would breach the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act of 2029 BS (1973 AD), the Himalayan National Park Regulations of 2036 BS (1979 AD), and other prevailing laws. Therefore, the new rules will effectively be implemented from January 2024.