Despite protests by the local communities in Nepal, the authorities have resumed helicopter services near Everest and the nearby regions. Local communities have blocked landing sites during protests. Due to its hilly terrain, helicopters form a vital form of transportation in Nepal.
The use of helicopters in the Sagarmatha National Park has, however, raised concerns of environmental safety in the region. It has been reported that rich tourists often pay as much as $1000 to skip the long journey to the Everest base camp and take the journey via a helicopter. This is not justified; however, helicopters are used in emergencies in Nepal. The unethical use of helicopters also costs a lot to the locals, whose major source of revenue depends upon tourists, which was the main reason for the protests.
Flights were stopped in January, after the Airlines Association of Nepal stopped all flights in the region due to growing protests. It also warned the pilots that if they landed, they might have to return on foot. An official of the Airlines Association of Nepal said that they had resumed rescue flights, though commercial flights in the region remain suspended. Mountaineering and trekking are one of the major economic activities in Nepal, and were seriously impacted due to the flights. With 50,000 people visiting Nepal every year and 60 helicopters in a day during peak season, the ban disrupted several activities.
Even after a green signal to the helicopters by the authorities, there is a situation of conflict between the authorities and the local communities. As the issue creates pressure on ecology and the livelihood of the locals, the authorities are planning to negotiate with the communities to ensure smooth functioning of the rescue operations and not hamper the activities of the local people.
