For Lunaps in Gasa, getting to and from their villages is now just a matter of 25 minutes. A journey that would have otherwise taken them seven days of arduous walk, is cut short with the introduction of helicopter hiring services to the gewog since 2016.
Unlike past winters, this time, four-year-old Leki Dem escaped the severe cold in her village, Tenchoe. About two months ago, she flew to Punakha in a helicopter along with her parents. Now, with the climatic conditions in her village improving, she is returning home.
“It’s very cold up there because of the snow. So for two months, we come to Punakha for vacation. Our village is very remote and it’s difficult for our children to walk for days. With the grace of His Majesty, we can now hire the helicopter service for transportation,” Pema Dorji, Leki’s father, said.
He added the last two months have been an eye-opening experience for his daughter, Leki. She could come again next year and visit more places too. All these, made possible with the helicopter service.
Similarly, the service has come to the rescue of women and elderly population of Lunana.
“Earlier, we would spend winters in Lunana freezing. Even if we wanted to come, we were not able to. We had to walk for days carrying our babies with us. But now, with the helicopter service, we can come any time. We were even able to come and attend the preaching of revered Rimpochoes,” Namgay Dem, from Tenchoe in Lunana, said.
“We stay in Punakha for three months and return in a helicopter. We take back basic necessities. The helicopter service has benefited the people of Lunana. Now, even elders can join us on our journey here. Earlier, they would be left alone in the villages, ”Pema Tshogpa, also from Tenchoe, said.
The Royal Bhutan Helicopter Service Limited (RBHSL) started the service for the people of Lunana in January 2016. So far, it has made more than 600 trips. Lunaps pay a subsidized rate of Nu 52,000 for one way travel. The chopper carries 350 kilograms including the weight of its passengers on every trip.
“They use the helicopter service especially for their trips to and from Punakha to sell cordyceps. The service is mostly availed during winters. We do four trips in a day. Each trip from Punakha takes around 50 minutes for a round trip.”Phurpa Tenzin, the Ground Crew of RBHSL, said.
For now, apart from unpredictable weather conditions, a proper landing pad in Zomlingthang in Punakha is the only challenge for the helicopter service company in providing the service.
Officials say the dust affects the engine blades of the chopper. The company, however, has plans to construct a proper landing pad in the 12th Five Year Plan.
