With reference to the subject above, excessive helicopter flights in the upper region, beyond Lukla under this rural municipality, have caused significant adverse impacts on the Sagarmatha National Park and its buffer zone, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These flights have negatively affected the forest, environment, and wildlife. Additionally, the excessive noise pollution caused by helicopters has directly impacted local residents and tourists. Furthermore, the excessive helicopter flights have severely affected local businesses and employment opportunities.
In response to widespread complaints and demands from local residents, organizations, tourists, and stakeholders to address this issue, and in order to preserve the significance, value, and beauty of the globally renowned trekking trails and tourist destinations of the Everest region, the Executive Meeting of Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality held on 2081/08/22 B.S, along with a meeting held on 2081/08/25 B.S that included the Sagarmatha National Park, Buffer Zone Management Committee, concerned organizations, and the local community, has made the following decisions:
1. For emergency rescues, a recommendation must be obtained from the health institution located at the flight site. A health professional must be present on the flight, and in cases where further treatment outside the region is required, patients must undergo tests at Pasanglhamu Nicole Niquille Hospital in Lukla and obtain a mandatory recommendation from the hospital.
2. Beyond Lukla, only rescue and ceiling flights that comply with the laws and regulations of Sagarmatha National Park will be allowed. All other commercial helicopter flights will be completely banned effective from 2081/09/17 B.S (1ª January, 2025 A.D).
To ensure the implementation of the aforementioned decisions, letters have already been sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). We humbly request all concerned parties to comply with and facilitate the execution of these decisions.
Henceforth, only rescue and ceiling flights in compliance with the laws and regulations of Sagarmatha National Park will be permitted beyond Lukla. Additionally, we request the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and all trekking and travel agencies, whether affiliated with TAAN or not, operating within this rural municipality to refrain from booking or selling any packages that include helicopter flights for the Khumbu region.
If any individual or agency engages in such activities after this notice, and if it causes any obstacles or issues in this region, the rural municipality will not be held accountable. This press release has been issued to inform concerned parties.
