Banning helicopter flights over the park is unacceptable: Tourism Minister Pandey

KATHMANDU, Jan 23:Badri Prasad Pandey, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has stated that the national park, buffer zone, and rural municipality cannot decision whether or not to allow helicopter flights.

He addressed this during Tuesday's Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee meeting. He stated that the decision not to allow helicopter flights above the Sagarmatha National Park was made by the national park, buffer zone, and rural municipality, which was incorrect.

He questioned whether, if they were not permitted to fly above due to a park below, they should also be prohibited from flying over Rara, Bardia, Shivapuri, and Chitwan. He stated that the state will work to improve regulations to decrease the effects of helicopter flights on schools, animals, noise pollution, and climate change.

According to him, the park, buffer zone, and rural municipality staff argued that the ban on helicopter flights in the airspace above the park violates Nepal's constitution and regulations. Informing that the Ministry of Home Affairs is working on the problem and the Chief District Officer is conducting an all-party meeting to address it, he stated that if necessary, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation will make a decision.