The Madras High Court on Thursday put a maintain on heli tourism in Ooty, deliberate as a part of the continued summer season pageant in the Nilgiris, till next week.
Justices Anita Sumanth and M. Nirmal Kumar, whereas listening to a petition towards the heli tourism initiative, questioned whether or not scientific due diligence was undertaken earlier than promoting helicopter rides, and why the Forest Department was not consulted.
Additional Advocate-General (AAG) J. Ravindran on Wednesday informed the court docket that the State did not intend to fly helicopters by itself, and that the commercial brochure was not printed by the Department of Tourism.
“The initiative is undertaken by a private operator and not by the government. The State only facilitates and advertises the activities organised during the summer festival,” he mentioned.
Justice Sumanth identified that this contradicted the phrases ‘Department of Tourism’, ‘District Administration, The Nilgiris’ and ‘Department of Horticulture’ on the brochure.
On Thursday, Mr. Ravindran insisted that the State was but to take a remaining resolution on heli tourism. The AAG mentioned the airline company had obtained approval from the police, the fireplace and rescue companies and the Public Works Department. “But there is nothing in the nature of a feasibility report,” replied Justice Sumanth.
As per the AAG, the helicopters, if permitted, will not fly over reserve forests, and therefore, there was no want for an environmental evaluation. Mr. Ravindran mentioned the “joy rides” would solely be organised above Ooty city for about 15 days, and the precise routes will rely upon the Air Traffic Controller, primarily based on the climate.
He reiterated that the federal government had not given permission for touchdown. However, district authorities informed The Hindu on May 5 that permission had been given for take-off and touchdown at Theetukal, Ooty.
Environmentalist T. Murugavel, who filed the petition, mentioned the rides will disturb the delicate ecosystem in the Nilgiris. “The Western Ghats have unique flora and fauna. The rides will cause a huge noise, even for 10 minutes,” he mentioned, including that the initiative will turn out to be a precedent for additional industrial journeys. The petitioner’s counsel mentioned buffer zones of tiger reserves fall underneath a 30 kilometre radius in air from Theetukal. He submitted that endangered birds similar to vultures and Great Indian Hornbill will likely be affected due to constant helicopter noise over 15 days.
In addition to misery to ecology, the counsel additionally highlighted security issues pertaining to the rides. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) lays out in depth necessities, which incorporates alternate heliports, floor employees and assist employees contained in the plane, and a management room, for plying a industrial chopper, however the State has not thought of any of this, nor has it taken a choice when the beginning date of the initiative is at some point away, he mentioned.
