KATHMANDU, JANUARY 10
Tourist season in the Everest region occurs twice a year: In the spring and autumn. While the spring season starts welcoming tourists from mid-March to the end of May, the influx resumes in the autumn season from mid-October to December-end.
Over 60,000 tourists are estimated to visit the region each year to enjoy the serene landscapes, wildlife, the local culture and for adventure purposes. The local economy is kept running by visiting tourists who hire local guides and porters and stay in hotels, tea houses and lodges established along some of the most popular routes, including the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek, Amadablam Base Camp trek and the Three Passes Trek.
Many also opt for a quick helicopter ride from Kathmandu to Kala Patthar to get a different perspective of these landscapes. During peak seasonal periods, over 50 to 100 takeoffs and landings are recorded in the region each day, excluding rescue flights from various helipads in Lukla, Syangboche, Pangboche, Pheriche, Mingmo, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gokyo and Gorakshep, among others. However, with the number of commercial helicopter operations expected to increase further in the region in the coming days, the local municipality, national park, and locals have been calling for strict measures to control them.
The airline operators have currently halted all helicopter operations in the Everest region, citing safety concerns, after Khumbu residents erected flag barriers across helipads in protest and warned crew members of action.
Despite ongoing discussions, residents of the Khumbu region are adamant about controlling helicopter operations in the region despite the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP)'s decision to ease them. Reiterating that excessive use of helicopters over the region has gravely affected the surrounding fragile environment, employment and the local economy, residents have refused to clear the erected flag barrier from helipads. This has, however, not created any disturbances at the moment, as the number of commercial helicopter operations at present is very low compared to seasonal periods.
"If we do not raise concerns now, such operations will persist in the upcoming seasonal periods and will further add fuel to the growing fire. We welcome the suspension of commercial helicopter flights in the region as it will help decelerate climate change and assist in safeguarding sustainable trekking culture, employment and economic growth," local stakeholders whom THT talked to said.
Environmental concerns
As per a report published by local experts, non-essential helicopter operations have severely affected the region's environment, increased noise pollution and climate-induced risks. The report states that wild animals living in the protected areas have been affected with breeding seasons being disrupted as a result of unnecessary helicopter flights.
In addition, the report states that the engine and rotor blades of a helicopter produce 20 kilohertz of sound and vibration frequency. As helicopters tend to fly close to the mountains where wind flow is substantial to create enough lift, the vibration created has been found to weaken frozen snows, creating a risk of avalanches.
The report has suggested sightseeing tourists opt for fixed-wing mountain flights, which fly at a higher altitude, which are cheaper, more comfortable and have less impact on the environment. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions from a single H125 (B3E) helicopter engine amount to 428 kg in an hour. Given that eight helicopters fly six hours each a day in the region excluding rescue flights, total flight hours would amount to 2,160 hours in a 45-day season and 4,320 hours per annum contributing to 1,848 tonnes of CO2 emission a year which is equal to burning 42,000 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders used in kitchens.
"While helicopter operations are not the sole reason for environmental degradation, it is a major factor.
Vibration and CO2 emissions from helicopter operations have accelerated climate change, affecting snowfall periods and causing glaciers to melt. This has also depleted underground water resources in the upper Khumbu region, limiting drinking water options and for firefighting purposes," Sonam Dorji Sherpa, chief of Everest Fire and Rescue, said, adding that if left unchecked, residents will be forced to migrate from their homes as climate refugees.
Ang Dawa Sherpa, vice-president of Namche Youth Group, further shared that helicopters in higher altitudes tend to fly very close to the ground, shaking the ground below. "In many cases, chunks of ice fall into glacial lakes increasing water levels and creating further risk of a glacial lake outburst floods. A similar event took place gravely affecting the Thame village in August last year," he explained.
Safeguarding efforts
Safeguarding the trekking culture and local employment is another reason behind the outcry for controlling helicopter operations in the region. Many tourism workers, including local guides, porters and other staff, heavily rely on foot traffic for employment. However, as 50 per cent of trekkers to EBC tend to take a helicopter ride back to Lukla or Kathmandu, working days for guides and porters have decreased to just around eight days.
"Many porters earn just around Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 per day during seasonal periods but have to manage their lodging and food themselves. As a result, many rely on tips and hope of receiving sponsorships or even used trekking equipment from the tourists. However, as many foreigners tend to fly back to Lukla or Kathmandu, even high-altitude Sherpas are short of work as expedition equipment is flown straight to Camp I and Camp II by helicopters, which is strictly forbidden," Ang Dawa told THT, adding that many helicopters flew back and forth above the EBC in the last season but only a few were reported to the authorities.
Data collected from the Tourist Police office in Namche Bazaar found that while 10,367 tourists entered Namche on their way up, just 5,982 made their way back down on foot in autumn 2024, while the rest hitched a helicopter ride.
Sonam further explained that the number of working days for guides and porters has decreased from around 14 days to a mere six to eight days and even more so over the past two years.
They both shared that this, in turn, has affected local souvenir shops, tea houses, hotels and lodges as well. "Tourists tend to spend just around 30 per cent of their budget on their way to EBC but are more open to loosening their purses on the way down. But now they are taking helicopter flights directly to Lukla or Kathmandu from higher altitudes thereby affecting the businesses here."
As per the report, tourist season in the region accounts for 150 days a year including spring and autumn. While it takes eight days to reach EBC, the next four days are allocated for the descent, which is 66 per cent and 33 per cent of the total journey, respectively. Comparing past trends, it was found that tourists tend to spend more than 50 per cent of their budget on hotels and lodges, excluding flight expenses on their way back.
"When 50 per cent of tourists fly back, local hotels, lodges and tea houses also lose business," Sonam Dorji said. As the region is still not connected by road networks, construction of tourism infrastructure tends to cost 70 per cent more till Namche and more as one goes higher up. Given that business in the region remains good, businessmen are likely to pour in more investments.
"However that won't be the case when 50 per cent of the revenue flies away," Ang Dorji said adding that controlling fake rescues is another issue that has gathered several concerns.
The elusive middle ground
Talking to THT, Nima Nuru Sherpa, executive chairman of Altitude Air said that helicopter operations in the region will resume only after safety is guaranteed. "Earlier, flag barriers were erected in helipads across the region to divert landing. In addition, local residents had warned to take action against crew members and ground any aircraft that landed in the region. Despite numerous meetings a consensus could not be reached.
Although the SNP has decided to ease heli operations, the suspension will continue unless safety of the aircraft and crew members is guaranteed," he said.
Sherpa further remarked that while the concerns raised by the local municipality and residents are understandable, helicopter operators cannot sustain on revenue generated from sling flights alone. "This decision to halt commercial operations in the Everest region will not only affect tourism but also revenue generation of the state. The concerns raised over noise pollution will also have to be assessed first to determine its impact on the environment," he added.
Mahendra Raj Poudel, president of Skål International Nepal and director at Global Asia Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd, shared that talks have been held to address the concerns of both the parties. He opined a study be conducted on the region's environment to make fact-based decisions.
Earlier today, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality announced it would try to solve the current problem through discussion, dialogue, coordination and cooperation among all concerned.
