Himachal Pradesh

Be it the spiritual leader Dalai Lama, the famous Russian painter and poet Nicholas Roerich, or the erstwhile British rulers in India - Himachal Pradesh enchanted them all by its mystic natural beauty. So much so that, many of them like Roerich and Dalai Lama settled here. The landscape, a colourful mosaic of rolling lush green meadows, alpine forests, fruit orchards, crystal-blue lakes and rugged terrain laced with lofty snow-capped mountains, equally fascinates leisure travellers, honeymooners and adventure lovers. Reason? While the serene tranquility embalms the frayed nerves, the natural abundance unwinds the clogged senses and uplifts the soul.

The plethora of attractions range from quaint hill stations like Manali, Dalhousie, Shimla (the summer retreat of the British raj) to religious retreats like Dharamsala (the seat of the Dalai Lama), Chamba and Kullu (famous for its Dussehra festival). From national parks to remote rugged terrains of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti. Trekking, skiing, mountaineering, para-gliding, white water river rafting make Himachal a veritable playground for tourists who want to mix leisure with adventure and excitement.

Leading The Eco-Trail

Himachal Pradesh has a varied topography, climate and forest cover and is endowed with a vast variety of flora and fauna. Known for its wilderness, landscapes, beautiful forests and wildlife, out of its total geographical area of 55,670 sq. kms., the forest cover spreads across 37,691 sq. kms. housing thirty two sanctuaries, two national parks and three game reserves.

The densely forested state provides a very congenial habitat to a wide variety of Himalayan fauna. The Himalayan Tahar and the Ibex can be spotted on the high ridges in the trans-Himalayas. The Brown Bear and Musk Deer roam happily in the temperate forests, in the company of colourful pheasants including the including the Monal, the Western Horned Tragopan, the Koklas and the Kalij. The lucky ones can even be treated to rare sight of critically endangered species like the Snow Leopard and Snow Cock.

Centuries of inaccessibility made the Lahul, Spiti and Kinnaur region nature lovers’ and anthropologists’ delight. The forbidding heights of Lahaul and Spiti evoke a feeling of sublimity. The ethereal beauty of rugged terrains, the turbulent Sutlej and glacial streams gurgling down the boulders and verdant inclines, the precipitous valleys and challenging mountain tracks, pristine lakes, rare species of plants and herbs make the place irresistible for explorers. The monastery at Tabo in Spiti with exquisite frescos and stucco statues is called the ‘Ajanta’ of the Himalayas. The kilometer long Chandra Tal lake in this region is a very popular trek.

Eco-Initiatives

The state’s wild frontiers have hitherto remained out of reach for tourists mainly due to lack of infrastructural availability. Most of the tourism, till now, has been limited to the towns, with occasional tours to the nearby forests and other attractions. In an effort to increase the length of average stay, attract repeat visitors and young tourists, the state is taking steps to promote eco and adventure tourism. The state’s eco-vision is to maintain a climate conducive to tourism growth, a sustained and genuine interest in the preservation of ecology and environment.

The state’s policy is to promote ‘eco-tourism’ that is ecologically sustainable and culturally sensitive and provide tourists an insight into the natural beauty and cultural richness of the state. A core group on eco-tourism has already been formed in the tourism department and an eco-tourism cell has been created. The state forest department is acting as facilitator for implementation of the policy. An eco-tourism advisory committee for policy issues has been set up under the chairmanship of Secretary (Forests) to the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh. Implementation of programmes under this policy are proposed to be through registered eco-tourism societies at nature park or eco-trek levels.

The government is going in for public-private partnership to promote tourist resorts offering facilities like skiing, angling, trekking etc. It will now give land on long-term lease to set up such projects and the return would be invested in infrastructure development. A four-star eco-friendly resort is being developed in Jettinagri, near Mandi. The 100 bighas of land surrounded by thick forest make the place ideal for camping, angling and trekking. Another resort is coming up in Shoja in Kullu district.

Attractions For The Eco-Holiday

Trekking: The state forest department manages a 500 kilometers long network of bridle paths and inspection trails crisscrossing through the most beautiful forests of the state. This gives visitors an excellent opportunity to trek across mountain passes to remote temples, crystal clear lakes and village hamlets still guarding their traditional art and culture closely. The forest department is also actively engaged in identification and development of eco-treks along the bridle paths. Himachal Tourism has identified some exciting treks each with a new experience, which leads from one mountain to another of varying altitude, appearance and formation, from pine covered slopes to cold deserts under the expert guidance and care. To suit all ages and physiques, the eco-treks have been categorised into easy, moderately difficult and adventurous treks. Interpretation signs along these routes will educate visitors about the salient features of the place and request their participation in conservation of Himalayan ecology.

Camping: Camping is perhaps the best way of enjoying the wonders of nature and sharing the warmth of local people. One can carry one’s own gear along or opt for any one of the camps that are pitched in various parts of the state. These camps offer quality facilities and services like accommodation, catering and variety of activities like hiking, fishing, nature-tours and rafting.

Nature Parks: Nature parks are also being developed to provide tourists a nature education experience. These parks are to be facilitated through eco-tourism societies specially set up for the purpose. Tourists can go on jeep safaris or trek down the forest trails. Some noted nature parks are:

• Great Himalayan National Park: Located in Kullu district, this park is a prime protected area of the country and provides opportunities to the eco-tourists to enjoy nature at its best. To be covered entirely on foot, the park has well developed eco-treks taking off from an altitude of about 1500 meters to more than 6000 meters.
• The Himalayan Nature Park: Located at an altitude of 2700 meters, this park covers about 100 hectares of prime Western-Himalayan temperate forest with all its floral diversity. It houses high altitude fauna in near natural habitat and provides the visitors a one stop opportunity to appreciate Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Yak, Bharal, Sambhar, Ghoral, Monal Pheasant and many other animals and birds.
• Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary clothes the slopes around the picturesque Renuka lake in the outer Himalayas with deciduous forest cover. Attractions include a lion safari, a mini zoo with trekking and boating facilities.
• Kufri Nature Park: Located near Shimla, this park houses rare varieties of Hangal, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Brown Bear and rare species of Monal.
• Another park has been developed atop Potters’ Hill, an abandoned hill used by potters in olden days to obtain clay - within the municipal limits of Shimla. Facilities available include tenting platforms, eco-treks to Chadwick falls and nearby forests, viewing platform offering a view of snow clad mountain peaks and a children park.

Mountain Biking: The state has already become a favourite for bikers from across the world. Each year hundreds of bikers are seen pedalling their way through the lower Shivalik to the Manali-Leh route crossing through passes ranging from 13050 ft to 17500 feet.

Skiing: Skiing facilities are available throughout the year at Rohtang Pass and in Solang close to Manali. Kufri, near Shimla, is one of the oldest places in India to be associated with skiing and the slopes are still in use during winter. Above Kufri, the Mahasu ridge also has good slopes.

Para And Hang Gliding: The bald peak of Billing, above the Buddhist monastery of Bir in Kangra, has been the venue for five national and three international hang-gliding rallies since 1984. An almost flat valley stretching for miles the site is perfect for para-gliding as well. Other regular spots for para-gliding are Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur in the Kullu valley and at Intkali in the Pabbar valley near Rohru in Shimla district.

Angling: Acclaimed as the best sport fish in the world, both Brown and Rainbow Trout are found in Himachal’s streams. Upstreams of Rohru in the Pabbar valley, there are several spots ideal for fishing.

Water Sports: The Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir in Kangra offers a variety of activities in close collaboration with the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Year long activities include water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. Stretches of Sutlej near Shimla, Beas near Kullu, Ravi near Chamba and the Chandra in Lahaul offer the thrills of white water river rafting.

By Anindita Chattopadhyay