KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 25
Hundreds of foreign climbers were stranded at Samagaon village near Mt Manaslu base camp after locals barred helicopter flights in the region this morning.
According to expedition organizers, hundreds of climbers have already descended to the base camp and Samagaon after their expedition on the world's eighth-highest peak to take heli flights back to Kathmandu.
"We will not allow heli flights to Samagaon region unless the government removes our area from the restricted zone," Karma Chhewang Lama, ward chairman of Samagaon, told THT.
According to him, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Home Ministry are playing foul with the locals of Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality by restricting them from using choppers in times of emergency.
"How can a foreigner get a flying permit within minutes, but locals have to wait for a week or more even for a medical evacuation flight?" he questioned.
RM Chairman Nima Lama said that he was trying his best to coordinate with locals and authorities to resume heli operations. "Our executive board meeting has decided to urge the government for the removal of the Tsum Nubri area from the restricted zone at the earliest," he informed.
Locals in northern Gorkha have called for a simplified helicopter flight process, citing delays in obtaining permissions.
At a general assembly in Chumnubri Rural Municipality–1, Samagaon last Friday, they demanded that charter permissions be streamlined through a single office.
Currently, it takes over a week for non-medical flights to be approved.
Locals also requested immediate rescue operations based on police recommendations in emergencies.
They further urged that if there are vacant seats on helicopters traveling to and from the northern region, locals should be allowed to board the helicopter by paying a minimum fee and with the recommendation of the concerned police and government authorities.
They criticized the fees imposed on tourists in the Manaslu Conservation Area, noting a lack of infrastructure, and warned that if their demands aren't met within five days, they will halt helicopter operations.
Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal stated that for rescue flights, recommendations are made within half an hour based on the patient's condition. For charter flights, recommendations are given only after assessing the situation and determining the need. Since the area is restricted, approval for helicopter flights requires a recommendation from the District Administration Office.
