Too many helicopters on Mt Cook 

The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has accused the Department of Conservation (DOC) of degrading Mt Cook National Park by letting too many helicopters land there.

The society called for a ministerial inquiry into air access to national parks after the DOC issued a retrospective permit to a helicopter company to pick up the disabled climber Mark Inglis.

Mr Inglis climbed Mt Cook at last after losing both his legs in a failed attempt 19 years ago, but the helicopter that picked him up landed on an unauthorised site near the summit of the mountain.

DOC's Canterbury Regional Conservator, Mike Cuddihy says a limit has been put on the number of helicopters allowed to land in Mount Cook National Park. He says a maximum of 7,000 landings are allowed at 14 authorised sites in the National Park each year.

According to Cuddihy there was no previous limit on the number of helicopters and planes allowed to touch down .

The Tourism Industry Association is rejecting criticism from conservationists that aircraft companies get too much freedom to operate in national parks.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive, John Moriarty, says the department does not get enough money from the government.

He says companies which hold concessions to operate on land owned by the department are aiming for a balance between access to the wilderness, and protecting the peace and quiet visitors seek there.

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