Kullu-Manali attracts over 35 lakh domestic and foreigner tourists annually and not all are fascinated by the mountains, glaciers and rivers of the valley – some of them visit the Himalayan valley in search of “Malana Cream”, the world’s best charas. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal once said: “When I was giving my introduction to a representative of Israeli senate in an international conclave, he left me stunned with words that he has listened about Kasol in India where high class marijuana is available. He shared his thought that a large number of people in Israel after completing mandatory military services rush to Kasol in Kullu to relieve themselves by puffing marijuana.” Over 98% of the tourists visit the valley to enjoy nature and adventure sports. Still, some tourists are reported to have visited the valley only for charas. Such tourists prefer staying in remote villages for a long time period. Police, who don’t want to put a negative impact on tourism, frequently lay nakas in such areas to search for the vehicles and pedestrians. As many as 161 foreigners have been booked under NDPS Act in last 15 years. The number of domestic tourists is even more. This doesn’t mean that all tourists visit Kullu-Manali for charas. Majority of tourists, both Indian and Foreigners, do not know that charas is produced in Kullu and is available here. Some people here say though charas put negative impact on youth but it is helping in rise in tourist footfall. A large number of local residents and politicians have been demanding to legalize cannabis cultivation, but fearing its misuse to make charas has forced lawmakers to make strict rules under NDPS Act. High on charas, foreigners bring notoriety to land of gods What attracts lakhs of backpackers from abroad to Kullu valley every year?
Kullu-Manali attracts over 35 lakh domestic and foreigner tourists annually and not all are fascinated by the mountains, glaciers and rivers of the valley – some of them visit the Himalayan valley in search of “Malana Cream”, the world’s best charas. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal once said: “When I was giving my introduction
A foreigner tourist, out of excitement or under the influence of charas, goes for trekking on fascinating but dangerous mountains of Parvati valley in Kullu and loses his way back to the valley. Next day help is sought from Chhape Ram and his team, a renowned rescuer in the valley, and they recover his body from a gorge. Such stories have become common in Kullu. Parvati valley, famous for world class Malana cream, has become a haunted place where trekkers, mostly from abroad, are felling to death one after another. Reasons are unknown but in most of the cases bodies were found in places far away from the trekking trail. Experts say negligence and consumption of drugs were putting these trekkers in trouble. In many cases it was noticed that trekker was alone and trying to climb a mountain face with no path. “We found body of Czech national Petr Slanina at a place near Chhalal village where no path was leading. He might have deviated from the trail and tried to climb a dangerous hill with no existing path. He was alone and it was the biggest mistake that he did,” said Chhape Ram Negi of Negi’s Himalayan Adventure who is an authorized rescuer of Israeli nationals in India. “Charas and guts to go alone on mountains are the main enemies of foreign trekkers. They can spend thousands on charas but refuse to hire a local guide,” he added. Charas makes person fearless and kills his capability of understanding the situation. It was noticed that hotel and guest house owners in Manikaran and Kasol area were not guiding their guests properly. “Surprisingly most of the accidents happened in circumference of only 2-3km around Kasol village. They underestimated the mountains and lost their lives. If cold have lived if they
A foreigner tourist, out of excitement or under the influence of charas, goes for trekking on fascinating but dangerous mountains of Parvati valley in Kullu and loses his way back to the valley. Next day help is sought from Chhape Ram and his team, a renowned rescuer in the valley, and they recover his body
