Officials at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) have asked the Civil Aviation Authority to check illegal flights of helicopter inside the protected area. 

Although helicopter operators are supposed to secure ACAP’s permission to fly inside the protected area, the regulation is not being followed by aviation companies.

“Helicopter landing and takeoff inside a protected area are illegal as per the Conservation Area Management Rules 2053 BS. Such flights should be strictly regulated,” said Rashmi Acharya, an information officer at the ACAP central office in Pokhara. 

ACAP has already communitcated its concern to the aviation authority.

Chartered flights to ACAP that comprises Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Kaski and Myagdi districts are regular and frequent. 

ACAP officials said that helicopters make such illegal flights to Annapurna Base Camp, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Tilicho Base Camp, Thorangla Base Camp, Naar-Fu and Manang village, among other places located inside the protected area. 

According to the Conservation Area Management Rules, an airline company should write an application and pay Rs 2,000 to ACAP for every flight landing inside the protected area. A tourist visiting the area in a helicopter also should pay Rs 2,000. The rule is exempted only in case of a rescue situation.