Due to the high noise pollution caused by helicopter flights and the impact on the habitats of wildlife in the central area of ​​Everest National Park and the habitats of wildlife in the core area, commercial helicopter flights have been completely banned from December 17.

The Everest National Park Office, Namche decided on Wednesday and instructed 11 helicopter companies in Nepal not to fly commercial charter flights carrying tourists in the area from December 19 (1st of January 2025). Even during the mountain climbing season, it will no longer be possible to carry the supplies of the climbing team in the helicopter.

The goods to be delivered by helicopter to a certain place in the Khumbu region will have to be transported by porters or chaunri. Now, wealthy tourists who prefer a two-way or one-way tour of the Everest region by helicopter will have to walk to the Everest base camp.

Park has instructed Air Dynasty, Prabhu, Kailash, Annapurna, Mountain, Altitude, Fistel, Shree, Cymric, Heli Everest and Manang Air to follow this decision. Bhagwati Prasad Gulm, Namche and Everest National Park Intermediate Area Management Committee of Nepal Army has sent a letter to Mendalfu for monitoring and implementing the decision. Area Police Office, Namche, District Administration Office, Salleri and National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department have also been asked to coordinate to comply with this decision.

The park has informed that helicopters are making very commercial flights/landings within the Everest National Park and the intermediate area. It is written in the letter sent to the heli company that due to uncontrolled helicopter flights and landings, more challenges have been added to the protection and habitat protection of the forest, environment and wildlife of the park. "Helicopter flights have caused excessive noise pollution in the settlements within the park and intermediate areas, and on the other hand, there is a possibility of criminal activities/activities related to wildlife and poaching," the letter says.

Sushma Rana, senior conservation officer of the park, said that due to the helicopter flight, the local trade, business and employment in the Khumbu area has been negatively affected. According to him, a meeting of the Park Office, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, Everest National Park Intermediate Zone Management Committee, local and concerned governmental and non-governmental organizations on Tuesday decided to organize the helicopter flight.

Helicopters have been operating charter flights from Kathmandu, Ramechhap and Lukla for rescuing locals, transporting goods and tourists in the Khumbu region. If this rule is violated, the National Park and Wildlife Protection Act 2029, Himalayan National Park Regulations 2036 and existing laws will be against the park, the park said. The park has also asked the helicopter companies to fly with permission in this regard. But it is said that the said law is not effective.

If the park needs to be rescued due to the health of tourists and hikers visiting the park, the park can fly only with fully equipped helicopters. In the case of a rescue flight, the ward office, the relevant intermediate consumer association, and the nearby health post require verbal or written recommendations.