KATHMANDU, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- A local government and other stakeholders in the Mount Qomolangma region of Nepal have decided to forbid commercial flights of helicopters in the region starting from Jan. 1 next year, a local government official said on Wednesday.
The decision was made a day earlier on the grounds that such flights affect local economic activities and disturb wildlife, said Mingma Chhiri Sherpa, chairperson of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality.
"We're sending letters regarding the decision to the helicopter operators, trekking and travel agencies and tourism enterprises," he told Xinhua.
He explained that due to a rising number of helicopter flights, tourists have stayed less time in recent years.
Trekking routes in the region are world famous and thousands of foreigners visit there for trekking every year.
"Noises caused by helicopter flights have also disturbed wildlife at the Sagarmatha National Park," Sherpa said, noting that helicopters mobilized for rescue efforts would not be affected by the latest decision.
"But such a rescue operation will be allowed only after a local hospital makes a recommendation," he added. ■