Kullu-Manali, where the government is promoting ecotourism, has witnessed unprecedented plantation in the last five years as people here have made it a mission to cover all available forest land with different species of trees. All this started after National Green Tribunal (NGT) slammed Himachal government and Kullu administration on various environmental issues multiple times. Concerned over the fragile ecology of Rohtang area being damaged by increasing tourism and increasing number of vehicles, NGT had asked state government to regulate tourism and plant trees. Lakhs of new saplings are being planted every year. Be it forest department, mahila mandal, yuvak mandal, panchayats, hoteliers, taxi operators, stakeholders or villagers, all are rushing for plantation during monsoon season. Burua panchayat of Manali alone has planted more than one lakh saplings in last few years. Both government and private schools have contributed to increase the green cover in the district. While the plantation drive was mostly influenced by environmentalists who are concerned over global warming, the drive was also meant for appeasing NGT as it was unhappy from pollution harming the ecology of Rohtang and nearby area. Over 60 thousand saplings planted below Rohtang in a couple of years earned Sarvottam Paudhropan Puraskar to the forest guard Neeraj Thakur. Kullu divisional forest officer Dr Neeraj Chadha, who helped in making plantation drive a mission in Kullu and implemented NGT order efficiently won Aranya Gaurav Puraskar from Himachal government. “Plantation has become a mission for people here. Be it students, women or elderly, all are coming forward for the green cause. Even these days plantation is continuing at multiple places. Local women are playing an important role. We are providing suitable species to the people and are protecting the area under new plantation by fencing,” DFO Dr Neeraj Chadha said. The mahila mandals in
Kullu-Manali, where the government is promoting ecotourism, has witnessed unprecedented plantation in the last five years as people here have made it a mission to cover all available forest land with different species of trees. All this started after National Green Tribunal (NGT) slammed Himachal government and Kullu administration on various environmental issues multiple times.
In what could be the better way to provide best hospitality to domestic and international tourists with a tourist-friendly atmosphere, Himachal government is planning to add tourism subject to the middle classes in schools, a source attending board of tourism development meeting in Dharamshala disclosed on Friday. Tourism is the second most source of income in Himachal after apple production. Now state is planning of making tourism the religion of every resident to create a friendly atmosphere for the tourists. Plans are that books on freedom fighters of Himachal would also be taught in the schools. Also, the Himachal tourism development board has given its nod to enforce ‘quality tourism certificate’ to encourage international standards along with secure environment to the tourists. Now, each dhaba, hotel, restaurant, resort, travel agency and taxi operators will have to fulfil around 35 parameters to obtain the quality tourism certificate. “Efforts of HP tourism development board and Manali hoteliers’ association have finally paid off and quality tourism certification scheme would be enforced soon so that our visitors would feel the world class comfort at ordinary cost,” executive member of the board Gajender Thakur said. He said that this certificate would ensure that tourists are safe and would not be defrauded. For the convenience of tourists, Manali hoteliers’ association has prepared a documentary on all famous attractions of Kullu-Manali which would be shortly available on websites of all the hotels of district. Documentary would also help advertise the tourism of the state. Former Kullu MLA Chander Sen Thakur said that Manali is the most popular hill station of the country and some firm steps are needed to be taken to develop its infrastructure and quality. “We have discussed about making Manali development authority with the tourism board and state chief minister. We hope that it
In what could be the better way to provide best hospitality to domestic and international tourists with a tourist-friendly atmosphere, Himachal government is planning to add tourism subject to the middle classes in schools, a source attending board of tourism development meeting in Dharamshala disclosed on Friday. Tourism is the second most source of income
