11 Apr, 2021
Simrik Air's H125 helicopter with registration 9N-ALP was engaged in firefighting operation at Shivapuri National Park area today. Capt. Siddartha J. Gurung and Pilot-In-Command Capt. Surendra Paudel along with Simrik's experienced crew flew with the 1000 liter "Bambi Bucket"- to support the Nepal Army, AFP, Nepal Police, Firefighters and local volunteers to contain the fire. Simrik has always been in forefront for the nation in times of crisis, like the 2014 Everest Icefall Avalanche, 2015 Earthquake and recently in COVID positive Patient Transfers using it's ingenious PIU's for the first time in Nepal. And, this is again an exemplary endeavor of Simrik Air and a social contribution towards the nation by providing its service as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) even with limited resources available to save the national treasure and home to many wildlife. To douse the uncontrollable wildfire, the "Bambi Bucket" was filled with water and 22 rounds of flight was operated from Machhapokhari (Wasikhu, Narayanthan), while one flight each was conducted by using water from Sundarijal and a rooftop swimming pool from Hotel Sabrina respectively. It is our duty and responsibility to come handy to the nation in times of crisis. We believe even with limited resources we can achieve greater deeds if we can communicate and work together. We would like to thank the following for their support in this mission. Hon'ble Mr. Mani Chandra Thapa - Minister of Water Supply and Irrigationand Mr. Anil Pokhrel - CEO National Disaster Management Agency for giving us access to Melamchi water, Dr. Ram Shrestha - Karuna Hospital for providing base of operation Mr. Uddav Kharel - Mayor of Budhanilkhanta Municipality for local coordination Mr. Nirajan Thapa - Hotel Sabrina for the water from his swimming pool Lt. Col. Ramesh Khadka - The Famous Mahendra Dal Battalion of the Nepal Army for the ground fire coordination Mr. Ratna Bahadur Shrestha from Wasikhu for letting us use his ponds water which was the closest source of water to fight the fire. Capt. Rameshwar Thapa - Chairman of Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd. with the entire Simrik Air team for their prompt support and cooperation for the successful mission. Simrik Air keeps the natural resource and wildlife conservation to the utmost priority, and as part of responsibility towards wildlife, national park, environment, society, heritages and ecosystem conservation, Simrik air has been carrying out these activities since long time. Few months back, for the first time ever in Nepal, Simrik Air exclusively operated the aerial fire-fighting mission in Pathivara Temple area, as the fire in a community forest in that area had gone out of control and was posing a threat to the existence of famous Hindu shrine in the country along with the community forest which is home to rare rhododendron species and red panda. Picture Courtesy: News Nepal dot com and Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd.
