Villagers block helicopters in Manaslu, demand end to flight restrictions
Locals say the blockade will remain in place until the government lifts flight prohibitions and charter regulations for them
Residents of a remote Gorkha village have halted helicopter landings, demanding the removal of long-standing fly restrictions for villagers, leaving hundreds of tourists and guides stranded in the Manaslu region.
Locals from Samagaun village in the remote Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality of Gorkha have barred helicopters from landing, disrupting travel for hundreds of tourists and guides visiting the Manaslu region.
Residents of Samagaun, located in Manaslu Conservation Area, halted helicopter operations at the village’s helipad, demanding the removal of long-standing restrictions on flights for villagers in the area. These restrictions require villagers to obtain prior permission for chartered flights, a process often delayed by bureaucracy. The area is inaccessible by road, adding to locals' frustration.
"We need permission to bring helicopters, even in medical emergencies, and sometimes people die waiting," said Karma Lama, chairperson of ward no. 1 of Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality. “We are treated like foreigners in our own land. The restrictions have only made it harder for us.”
The blockade will remain in place until the flight prohibitions and charter regulations for locals are lifted, Lama added.
Samagaun is part of the Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality, situated along Nepal's northern border with China. Despite its significance as a tourist destination, residents claim the village has been neglected in terms of development. The conflict with authorities has escalated over the years, with the latest village-imposed ban being a direct response to government restrictions.
The area is home to Manaslu, the world’s tenth-highest peak, which draws thousands of trekkers and climbers annually. Recently, the municipality introduced a fee for trekkers—1,000 rupees for foreigners and 100 rupees for domestic visitors—adding to the tensions between locals and authorities.
According to the Department of Tourism, 262 climbers have secured permits for Manaslu this autumn season, with hundreds of guides and porters accompanying them. The helicopter blockade has caused significant disruption to their movement.
Efforts to resolve the issue are underway, according to Bhola Dahal, Chief District Officer of Gorkha.
