The Office of the Sagarmatha National Park has decided to ban all kinds of commercial helicopter flights (व्यावसायिक हेलिकप्टर उडान) from Poush 17/ January 1. According to the officials, the ban is to protect wildlife, forests, and the environment.

The park office cited concerns over excessive noise pollution, harm to nearby settlements, and the risk of increased wildlife crimes. The office also mentioned that people have complained that helicopter flights affected local trade, business, and jobs in the Khumbu region.

Goods transported by helicopters to certain areas must now be carried further by porters or yaks in the Khumbu region. Tourists seeking one-way or round-trip helicopter rides to the Everest region will now need to trek to Everest Base Camp on foot.

On December 10, a joint meeting involving the Sagarmatha National Park Office, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone Management Committee, and various stakeholders decided to impose the ban.

Starting January 1, all commercial helicopter operations will be prohibited within the Sagarmatha National Park and its buffer zone, except for those used for rescue missions and transporting goods, as stated in a letter sent to helicopter companies.