December 29, 2023 02:56 pm | Updated 02:56 pm IST - UDHAGAMANDALAMA chartered helicopter flew over the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the protected Mukurthi National Park, carrying VIP guests from a major private company on December 27. “The pilot switches off the transponder as soon as he enters Tamil Nadu and only switches it back on once they cross Mukurthi. Forest Department said they had not accorded any permission for the aircraft to fly over MTR or Mukurthi. D. Venkatesh, Field Director of MTR, said that the flight operators had not shared any data of the flight plan over MTR or Mukurthi. “We have to find out whether they have received permission from anyone to fly over Mukurthi, and on what basis the permission was granted.

Source: The Hindu December 29, 2023 15:29 UTC