NGO to move SC against heli-skiing

NGO to move SC against heli-skiing
The joy ride flights aboard choppers operated by the Himalayan
Heli-Skiing(HHS), a private company here has triggered a major row as
the Manali-based NGO, Himalayan Paryavaran aur Prani Suraksha(HPPS)
today decided to file a public interest litigation(PIL) in the Supreme
Court citing “hazards to locals and the wildlife”.

Though the HHS and the tourism officials claim that they have no
documented proof of damage done to environment, the HPPS and
villagers, including schools located in the periphery of the base of
the HHS’ choppers, are up in arms against the company.

For the tourists the heli-ride is a high thrill flight. The villagers
call it a constant hazard in the air. For operators it is a jackpot,
marketing Manali in the world. And for fund-starved state’s coffers
the chopper flights are a source of dollars.

After the crash of the HHS chopper at Aloe village, 8 km from here,
three years ago, we live in fear, complained Ms Lata Devi, a housewife
here. “Our two children came out to see the chopper flying and they
fell and got injured last year,” revealed Mr Ratan Dorjee, a local
resident.

The villagers told The Tribune that patients develop hypertension
while the newborn babies woke up in panic whenever the helicopter flew
over the villages. Most affected villages were Palchan, Kothi, Ruar
and Kulang. During the heli-skiing season, most affected villages were
Prini and Aloe, the winter base of the helicopters, they said.

Students were also disturbed. Teachers at Saraswati Vidya Mandir
School and Government Middle School rued that the two schools were
located just over 100 metres aerial distance from the leased base of
the HHS chopper. “We have taken up the matter with the company and the
panchayat, but the company takes them for a joy ride and silences
them,” they revealed.

But for tourists the heli-rides over Rohtang is a thrill of lifetime.
“We have come to Manali for joy rides as Manali and Kashmir are the
only places in India where you get helicopters’ rides,” said Mr
Dhaneshwar Shah, a businessman who along with his six family members
took joy rides.

The director, HHS, Mr Kisan Lal, said they were filing the PIL in the
Supreme Court as the helicopter skiing was damaging the environment in
the valley. “It is a hazard for the wildlife as animals in the high
altitude die of high-decible noise caused by the helicopters. We
worship mountains as the abode of gods. The helicopters are
interfering in the Himalayan environment he explained.

The manager, HHS, Mr Bhiwani Singh, said that they were promoting
tourism and had sought permission from the state government. “We have
not received any written complaint from the villagers so far”, he
claimed. He said they charged Rs 15,000 per person for 10 minutes of
joy flying and operated heli-skiing from January to April.

The Commissioner, Tourism, Mr Tarun Shridhar, said he had deputed the
District Tourism Officer, Kulu, to visit the villages. “The HHS is
charging $ 250 per seat per person for heli-skiing, which is a major
attraction for high-end tourists. But we have not received any
complaint on this so far,” he added.