NGO secures stay order on helitourism project in Western Ghats

CHIKKAMAGALUR: The Green Tribunal has ordered a stay on a planned helitourism (helicopter tourism) project in the Western Ghats after environmentalists raised concerns.

The project, planned for Christmas and New Year, scheduled to start on December 20 and go on 18 days, was planned to cover Mudigere, Kalasa, and Mullayyanagiri, areas considered ecologically sensitive.

The NGO which filed the petition argued that the project would harm the environment and wildlife in the region, which includes the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuduremukh National Park. The helitourism project was being organised by a private company in collaboration with the Tourism department and Thumby Aviation.