As the general elections have ended, tourists who gave a miss to hill stations in May have started to make a beeline to Manali to get respite from the scorching heat of the plains. The elections have badly hit the summer tourism of Himachal as hoteliers claim they have never seen such a poor business in May month. With elections ended and hills of Manali still experiencing fresh snowfall, hoteliers believe they see a good tourist crowd till the end of June. The tourist footfall is increasing gradually but most of the tourists are ending up stuck in traffic jams for hours. The charm of snow along Manali-Rohtang road is attracting tourists to Manali. A number of tourist vehicles entering Manali is increasing every day. But the long traffic jams at multiple places between Bhuntar and Marhi are ruining their holiday mood. While a one-way bridge at Dobhi has become the worst bottleneck, NHAI has failed to stop sliding of a small stretch at 16 Mile where sometimes vehicles are forced to wait for 1 to 2 hours for their turn. The traffic is moving at snail’s pace on Bhuntar-Ramshila stretch of the highway where road construction is continuing. It has become a routine to face traffic jams from Manali to Marhi, the snow point of Manali. The hoteliers say May and June are the months when lakhs of tourists throng Manali and most hotels remain occupied. They rue that not just elections but it is poor infrastructure that is irking the tourists and putting a negative impact on the tourism industry. Manali Hoteliers’ Association president Anup Ram Thakur said the condition of the road from Kiratpur (Punjab) to Manali is not good which is affecting the tourism. “Unscientific construction of four-lane highway without conducting proper study of the area
As the general elections have ended, tourists who gave a miss to hill stations in May have started to make a beeline to Manali to get respite from the scorching heat of the plains. The elections have badly hit the summer tourism of Himachal as hoteliers claim they have never seen such a poor business
हिमाचल प्रदेश का कुल्लू जिला पर्वतीय क्षेत्र होने के साथ साथ घाटियों का भी जिला है। इन घाटियों में छोटे बड़े कई नदी नाले बहते है। यदि पश्चमी हिमालय में एक ऐसा पहाड़ी क्षेत्र चुना जाए जो प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य और संसाधनों से भरपूर हो, जिसका अधिकांश क्षेत्र वनों, नदी,नालों, झीलों, झरनों और ढ़लानों से भरा हो,जहां बहुत कम लोग निवास करते हो शायद इसका जबाब यही होगा कि हिमाचल प्रदेश के कुल्लू जिला की तीर्थन घाटी. जहां की वादियां शान्त, सुरम्य और प्रदूषण मुक्त हो, जहां पर नदी नाले ,झील झरने यहां के परिदृश्य को सुशोभित करते हो, जहां प्राकृतिक संगीत की सुर लहरियां हो, पारम्परिक मेले और त्यौहार जहां गौरवमयी इतिहास का साक्ष्य प्रस्तुत करते हो तथा जहां पर अतिथि: देवों: भव: चरितार्थ होता हो। बात चाहे आस्था की हो या आस्था स्थली की, कुदरत के नजारों की हो या जैविक विविधिता के अनूपम खजाने की वास्तव में तीर्थन घाटी का कोई सानी नहीं है। पश्चमी हिमालय के सुदूर क्षेत्र बंजार की तीर्थन घाटी में स्थित ग्रेट हिमालयन नेशनल पार्क को वर्ष 2014 में यूनेस्को द्वारा विश्व धरोहर का दर्जा दिया गया। यह नेशनल पार्क भारत के बहुत ही खूबसूरत नेशनल पार्कों में से एक है जिसका क्षेत्रफल करीब 765 वर्ग किलोमीटर में फैला हुआ है।यहां पर अद्वितीय प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य और जैविक विविधिता का अनुपम खजाना है।इस नेशनल पार्क का महत्व यहां पाई जाने वाली दुर्लभतम जैविक विविधता से ही है। वन्य जीव हो या परिन्दा, चिता, भालू, घोरल, ककड़, जेजू राणा, मोनाल सरीखे कई परिन्दे व जीवजन्तु और वन वनस्पति औषधीय जड़ी बूटियां यहां मौजूद है। इस पार्क की विशेषता यह भी है कि यहां पर वन्य जीवों व परिन्दों की वे प्रजातियां आज भी पाई जाती है जो समूचे विश्व में दुर्लभ होने के कगार पर है। बात चाहे वन्य प्राणियों की हो चाहे परिन्दों की हो
हिमाचल प्रदेश का कुल्लू जिला पर्वतीय क्षेत्र होने के साथ साथ घाटियों का भी जिला है। इन घाटियों में छोटे बड़े कई नदी नाले बहते है। यदि पश्चमी हिमालय में एक ऐसा पहाड़ी क्षेत्र चुना जाए जो प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य और संसाधनों से भरपूर हो, जिसका अधिकांश क्षेत्र वनों, नदी,नालों, झीलों, झरनों और ढ़लानों से भरा
The tourist places of Kullu Manali are clogged with garbage during summer tourist season as tourist crowd leaves behind tonnes of garbage. This time Kullu administration is not in mood to spare the litterbugs and has warned to impose a heavy fine on whoever throws garbage in open space. After National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked deputy commissioners of all districts of Himachal to ensure disposal of plastic waste from roadsides, rivers, nullahs and tourist places, Kullu administration has warned people of district to stop littering or face fine of upto Rs one lakh. The administration will run district wide campaigns to clean up garbage from rivers, their tributaries, towns and tourist places from May 3. As the district produces most garbage during summer tourist season in May and June, the officials have warned hoteliers, restaurant operators, shopkeepers and all residents that special surveillance teams are monitoring the entire district which will take action on litterbugs. Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus said civic bodies, panchayats, mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, NGOs and general public will take part in garbage cleanliness campaigns in entire district. “Our focus is on plastic garbage which not only will be collected but we shall dispose it off properly. We have taken the complaints of littering very seriously. We have provision of imposing fine up to Rs one lakh,” he said. Kullu-Manali produces tonnes of garbage every day during tourist season. Littering is the problem in all tourist places of Kullu. The officials of different departments have been directed to inspect tourist places frequently so that action could be taken against the offenders. Not just national highways, Beas river, its tributaries and towns but the villagers too would be challaned on the spot if they found throwing garbage in open spaces. The DC said dedicated teams have been constituted
The tourist places of Kullu Manali are clogged with garbage during summer tourist season as tourist crowd leaves behind tonnes of garbage. This time Kullu administration is not in mood to spare the litterbugs and has warned to impose a heavy fine on whoever throws garbage in open space. After National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked
Away from the heat of Lok Sabha elections, hundreds of tourists on Wednesday enjoyed unexpected summer snowfall at Gulaba, 23km from Manali. While mercury in many parts of the country has jumped above 40 degrees Celsius, the peaks of Himachal are still getting fresh snow. The temperature in many parts of Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts of Himachal has plunged close to freezing point. The snowfall in mid-April has thrilled the hundreds of tourists at Gulaba near Manali. Gulaba, on the foothills of Rohtang pass, was opened for tourists on Tuesday after a gap of four months. Gulaba received 5cm fresh snow while Rohtang pass is expected to have received nearly 15cm snow. Parts of Lahaul valley also received some snowflakes. Border Roads Organization (BRO) had cleared snow till Marhi, 17km short of Rohtang pass. The fresh snowfall has affected the snow clearance operations. BRO wants to resume traffic on Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway before election on May 19. Snowfall on high hills and rains in lower parts have triggered cold in upper Himachal. In Manali, residents have brought out sweaters and jackets from the closets. Tourists staying in hotels were demanding for room heaters. Manali sub-divisional magistrate Ashwani Kumar said tourists are allowed to go till Gulab where they can enjoy snow. "There is no limit on number of vehicles and no permit is required to go till Gulaab. Once vehicles are allowed to go beyond Gulaba, only 1,300 tourist vehicles would be given the permit on daily basis. Gulaba has enough snow for tourists," he said. While snowfall has brought cheer among tourists and hoteliers, it has worried the fruit growers. "Our apple orchards are under full blossom. A sudden drop in temperature is lethal for the crop. We pray almighty that snowfall on hills and drop in temperature
Away from the heat of Lok Sabha elections, hundreds of tourists on Wednesday enjoyed unexpected summer snowfall at Gulaba, 23km from Manali. While mercury in many parts of the country has jumped above 40 degrees Celsius, the peaks of Himachal are still getting fresh snow. The temperature in many parts of Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and
If you are planning to visit Kullu-Manali this summer season and Rohtang pass is on your priority wish list, make sure you adhere to the timing system fixed by Kullu district magistrate, failing to which you may have to return back to Manali from mid-way. The tourist vehicles bound for Rohtang pass/Marhi/Beas Nala/Rahni nala/Rahla fall or other areas around Rohtang pass would be allowed to cross Gulaba check post from 7:45 am to 10 am daily. Tourists planning to visit Ladakh/Lahaul/Spiti/Pangi/Killar by road from Manali will be required to start traveling early morning as all tourist vehicles going beyond Rohtang pass will be allowed to cross Gulaba barrier (22km from Manali) only between 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM every day. Issuing a notification, district magistrate Yunus has fixed timing for all kind of vehicles to ensure smooth flow of traffic, without hours-long jams on Rohtang highway. Manali-Rohtang highway clogs with vehicles in peak summer tourist season due to the narrow road. The administration will enforce the timing system on trial basis this season. The timing system will be enforced strictly, but will totally depend on weather conditions. In case of emergency, the officials can slightly change the time. Kullu administration has fixed time for tourist, goods carriers and private cars bound for all the destinations across Rohtang pass and coming from both directions i.e. from Manali to Rohtang and from Rohtang to Manali. However, the administration has asked the public to give suggestions or file objection on this before April 18. This arrangement is temporary and can be lifted during a lean tourist season when traffic is thin. The timing system would not be applicable for emergency vehicles (fire/ambulances/police) and government vehicles. Apart from taking care for the timing system, don’t forget to obtain a permit for your vehicle to
If you are planning to visit Kullu-Manali this summer season and Rohtang pass is on your priority wish list, make sure you adhere to the timing system fixed by Kullu district magistrate, failing to which you may have to return back to Manali from mid-way. The tourist vehicles bound for Rohtang pass/Marhi/Beas Nala/Rahni nala/Rahla fall
Come May month, uni-directional traffic system would be imposed on Manali-Rohtang highway in an effort to combat one of the worst traffic jams on the hill roads of the world. The rise in temperature is forcing people to rush to the hill stations. Lakhs of tourists will head to Manali, particularly snow points of Rohtang, to get some respite. To prevent thousands of vehicles from choking the narrow road to Rohtang, Kullu administration has decided to make the Rohtang highway one way and impose timing-system. The highway leading to Manali town would also be made one-way. Kullu DC Yunus while holding a meeting with officials of all the departments, associations and stakeholders prior to the start of peak tourist season said vehicles going to Rohtang, Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Ladakh would be allowed to go till noon after which entry from Manali side would be restricted. “Once all vehicles reach Rohtang, the vehicles coming from opposite side would be allowed to come towards Manali. This will probably end all traffic bottlenecks and traffic will move smoothly.” He said vehicles entering Manali town will have to take another route for the exit. “We shall keep a close watch on vehicles jumping the queues. Overtaking would not be tolerated if any vehicle is found breaking the queue in case of jam or slow traffic,” he added. Talking about compliance of National Green Tribunal (NGT) order on Rohtang pass, Yunus said permit would be issued only to 1,300 vehicles to go to Rohtang pass for tourism purpose. Besides this quota, vehicles going to Lahaul-Spiti or Ladakh would not be allowed to come back from Rohtang. Vehicles violating the rules would be fined with Rs 5,000 and can be impounded. We have improved the online permit booking website and mobile app,” he added. Kullu SP
Come May month, uni-directional traffic system would be imposed on Manali-Rohtang highway in an effort to combat one of the worst traffic jams on the hill roads of the world. The rise in temperature is forcing people to rush to the hill stations. Lakhs of tourists will head to Manali, particularly snow points of Rohtang,
The unexpected snowfall in Manali that started despite high temperature on Monday evening thrilled tourists here but fruit growers are worried a lot as snow may have destroyed plum, apricot and peach crops at some places. Manali recorded minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees C in last 4 hours. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 16.4 degrees C. There was no possibility of snowfall at such high temperature. Despite this the town and nearby places are experiencing snowfall. Lower areas including Kullu and Bhuntar towns are witnessing thundershowers. Till late evening, Manali town had received 10cm of fresh snow. Solang valley received over 15cm of snow. High mountain peaks including Rohtang pass too are receiving heavy snow since afternoon. Snowfall in Manali always brings cheer to hoteliers but it also brings some problems like landslides and cold. Tourists in Manali started shouting and blowing whistles out of excitement. These days tourists are heading to Solang valley to see snow. Nobody had expected snowfall and were expecting gradual rise in temperature in coming days. The residents here are annoyed after many spells of snowfall and rain and are praying for sunny days. However, hoteliers consider it beneficial for their business. Meanwhile, fruit growers are worried because snowfall on flowers can destroy fruit crops. The stone fruits including plum orchards in many areas are in bloom. Deposit of snow on flowers and sudden drop in temperature can destroy the crops. Snowfall in Manali is normal till March end but it totally depends on temperature and atmospheric pressure. The fresh western disturbance that created cyclonic conditions above Himachal brought snowfall in Manali on Monday.
The unexpected snowfall in Manali that started despite high temperature on Monday evening thrilled tourists here but fruit growers are worried a lot as snow may have destroyed plum, apricot and peach crops at some places. Manali recorded minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees C in last 4 hours. The maximum day temperature was recorded at
While the growing tension between India and Pakistan has badly affected tourism in Kashmir, there is no impact on tourism in Himachal where tourists are thronging to see snow and hoteliers are claiming to have observed satisfactory business in winters after many years. Despite lean season and advisory for avalanches and landslides, tourists are visiting Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie. The state is witnessing frequent spells of snowfall. Tourists don’t want to lose their chance to see fresh snowfall. The major roads in state were reopened shortly after heavy snowfall. There were reports of tourists stranding in Spiti valley but roads to other destinations remained mostly open which encouraged tourists to experience the winters of Himachal. “I have seen such a tourist crowd in January and February after many years. Not only I but all did good business here,” a tourist photographer Lal Chand said. “Bahang, Nehru Kund and Solang, you will see a large number of tourists enjoying with snow. We used to stay home for many days in winters when we had no work. Tourists are making a beeline to Manali even during heavy snowfall.” Manali Hoteliers Association president Anup Ram Thakur said Mother Nature is blessing Manali with good amount of snow which is attracting tourists to this town. “Over 50 per cent tourists visiting Manali got chance to see fresh snowfall January and February. All the hotels are giving special discounts to the tourists. This is lean tourist season and hotels are not fully occupied but still doing good business. If our roads were good and we had good air connectivity, more tourists would have visited the town. We appreciate steps taken by Kashmiri hoteliers to help the stranded tourists,” he said. Shimla hoteliers are also doing well, especially in weekends. A hotelier Rajesh Kumar said,
While the growing tension between India and Pakistan has badly affected tourism in Kashmir, there is no impact on tourism in Himachal where tourists are thronging to see snow and hoteliers are claiming to have observed satisfactory business in winters after many years. Despite lean season and advisory for avalanches and landslides, tourists are visiting
MANALI: After many cities of the country boycotted Make My Trip and Goibibo over the monopoly of online hotel booking giants, Manali hoteliers have offered them to work at their terms and conditions, failing to which may force hoteliers to consider boycotting them. Manali Hoteliers’ Association president Anup Ram Thakur said they have asked officials of Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs) to hold a meeting with them in Manali where they will discuss on the 11 agenda points for the benefit of both the parties and also the customers. “We want to fix a commission rate with them as many hotels complain that some online agencies are charging very high commission from them by taking advantage of their helplessness. The commission would be charged on room tariff, not on meal. The reviews written by guests should have option to include hotel’s version.” Hoteliers blamed that the companies are giving star ranking to the hotels themselves and were showing any tariff on the website which was misleading and illegal. “The category of the hotel and room’s tariff are finalized by department of tourism. Hotel or agency has no right to give star category to hotel only to mislead the tourists. Some online agencies give huge discounts and offers to customers. In such cases, the discounted amount would be borne by agency, not the hotel. And they need to display the original tariff approved by government,” Thakur added. Hoteliers have more such demands from the OTAs which they have demanded to be fulfilled to maintain a healthy relation. While many hoteliers say it the hotel owners who themselves were offering huge commission to the companies to get booking, others said it was the monopoly of the companies as most bookings were coming through them. Some hoteliers were demanding to boycott Make My Trip, Goibibo and
MANALI: After many cities of the country boycotted Make My Trip and Goibibo over the monopoly of online hotel booking giants, Manali hoteliers have offered them to work at their terms and conditions, failing to which may force hoteliers to consider boycotting them. Manali Hoteliers’ Association president Anup Ram Thakur said they have asked officials of Online
MANALI: Those who are bored of staying in conventional hotel rooms and want to experience some thrill and adventure can stay in a room entirely made of snow and ice. Available only in a few countries, the stay in an igloo is now available in Manali as well. This is the third consecutive year that tourists will be able to enjoy their stay in igloo in Manali. Two youth – Tashi and Vikas – who introduced igloo concept in the country for tourism purpose have again built the igloos near Sethan villae in Hamta valley next to Manali, at an altitude of about 9,000ft. Heavy snowfall in the area and dip in temperature offered positive environment to make igloos. A large number of snow lovers and adventure enthusiasts made beeline to get chance of staying in igloo in last two seasons. Not only tourists but also local residents are thronging Sethan forest to see the igloos. Abnormally high temperature in winters had posed some challenges before the youth as snow was melting very fast. As mercury is perfectly indicating freezing temperature, igloos are of great quality. Tashi Dorje, owner of Manali Igloo Stay, said the temperature is favourable for igloos which will not melt until end of February or mid March. “We expect to get more snow so that tourists get chance to stay in igloos till end of March. We had a great response from tourists in the very first year of introduction of igloos in the country. The booking is open and we are ready to welcome the adventure enthusiasts this year too.” The igloo is equipped with bedding, table, lightings and all other essentials required to make stay cozy and memorable. As nobody knew the technique of building igloo, Tashi and his friends took help from youtube videos. Tashi says he has not got expertise in the technique. “We make blocks of snow and join them to give shape to structure.
MANALI: Those who are bored of staying in conventional hotel rooms and want to experience some thrill and adventure can stay in a room entirely made of snow and ice. Available only in a few countries, the stay in an igloo is now available in Manali as well. This is the third consecutive year that tourists will be able
