Kathmandu : All kinds of commercial helicopter operations have been banned in the area of the Sagarmatha National Park.

The Office of the Sagarmatha National Park has imposed a ban on commercial helicopter flights, stating that uncontrolled helicopter flights and landings have posed additional challenges to the protection and habitat of the park’s wildlife, forests, and environment.

“All kinds of commercial flights have been banned in view of excessive noise pollution caused by helicopter operations in nearby settlements and the potential for increased wildlife crime and poaching activities,” reads the decision taken by the park office.

The office has also stated that there are public complaints that helicopter flights have also negatively affected local trade, business and employment in the Khumbu region.

A joint meeting held on Tuesday between the Sagarmatha National Park Office, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone Management Committee and local stakeholders, government and non-government organizations/institutions in the Khumbu region, has banned helicopter flights.

“The meeting held on December 10 decided to fully ban all kinds of commercially operated helicopters, except those used for rescuing tourists and locals and transporting goods, starting January 1, in order to manage helicopter flights and landings within the Sagarmatha National Park and buffer zone,” reads the letter sent to helicopter companies.