While the State Government evidently continues to favour helicopter service operators in the Kedarnath area, the residents of Kedar valley have started a relay hunger strike near the helipad at Kedarnath being used by choppers to transport pilgrims to the shrine.

The locals, have been opposing the noise pollution  generated by the low flying choppers in this ecologically sensitive region and the forest department had also issued notices to the helicopter service companies seeking the reason for their not procuring a no objection certificate from the department .

Led by Keshav Tiwari, the residents of Kedarnath valley questioned why the government was allowing the private chopper companies to violate environmental regulations while at the same time it is showing little interest in constructing a road from Gaurikund to Kedarnath for the benefit of the locals.

“As the road is related to the welfare of poor villagers, the State Government is least interested in its construction but wants to leave no stone unturned to benefit the private chopper companies,” Tiwari said. Many financially well off pilgrims use the helicopter service provided by nine companies to Kedarnath to avoid the 14 km arduous trek to Gaurikund.

The villagers have long been demanding that a metallic road be built on this 14 km route. The Forest Department has also ascertained that the chopper flights are disturbing the wildlife. The nine companies issued notices by the department operated about 50 flights daily between Phata/Agastyamuni and Kedarnath from 6 AM to 5 PM.

But, when notices were issued, the principal secretary, Rakesh Sharma had said that the Kedarnath wildlife divisional forest officer was not authorised to issue the notices as the State Government had allowed the helicopter services. 

Source: The Pioneer, DT. 13 June, 2013