Nepal protesters urge end to plan to chop trees for airport

KATHMANDU, Nepal – A small group of protesters has demonstrated in Nepal’s capital against plans to cut down millions of trees for an international airport in the southern part of the country.

The protesters picketed the offices of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Department of Forest in Kathmandu calling for an immediate stop to the plans to build the airport in Nijgadh, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of the capital.

It’s estimated that 2.4 million trees will have to be cut down to build the airport, which is expected to cost $3.5 billion.

Protesters alleged that the planned airport would be an environment disaster as it would destroy forests that are the habitat for wild animals in the area.

Nepal has only one international airport, located in Kathmandu.