Helicopter dispute in the Everest region: Business beats environmental protection in the Khumbu

Mingma Sherpa and his companions in the fight against the many helicopter flights in the Everest region feel let down. “Sadly, none of the politicians have talked about our movement,” writes the chairman of the Namche Youth Group, which had campaigned for an end to the many purely tourist flights in the Khumbu region, to me. “We honestly have no voice.”

Earlier this year, locals in the Khumbu had put up poles with prayer flags on the helipads all the way up to Gorak Shep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. As a result, the helicopter companies temporarily suspended all flights to the Everest region.

After a crisis meeting of all parties to the conflict at the end of January, at least the rescue flights were resumed. And the parties involved had expressed confidence that a solution would also be found to the controversial issue of purely commercial helicopter flights. Since then, there has been silence.

Almost every second trekking tourist is flown back from Everest Base Camp

There is still no agreement between the Khumbu regional administration and the helicopter companies, says Mingma adding that the municipality police will be stationed at the landing sites to monitor the helicopter operations. “Our local government is trying everything they can.”

The Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality had complained that there had been around 6,000 helicopter flights into the Khumbu region last year. These mainly commercial flights not only polluted the environment and caused a lot of noise, but also deprived many porters and lodge owners of their income. it said. According to the tourist police in Namche Bazaar, more than 40 percent of trekking tourists who hiked to Everest Base Camp last fall were then flown back by helicopter.

Helicopter companies are advertising tourist flights again

At the beginning of the spring season, helicopter companies and trekking companies are once again openly advertising this option. And also for helicopter flights from Kathmandu to the Khumbu, flying over the Kala Patthar viewpoint opposite Everest and the base camp at the foot of the highest mountain on earth – all in one day. The Khumbu regional administration had actually banned such tourist flights from 1 January.

It looks like business will win out in the end – as in previous years – and environmental protection will take a back seat. “We are fighting with people with money and connection to high (-ranking) politicians,” says Mingma Sherpa from the Namche Youth Group. “You can hear the helicopters doing mountain flights and rescue operations again. But not as crazy as it used to be. Time will tell…” After all, the spring season with the Everest expeditions and many trekking tourists is only just beginning.