HP’s Tribal Areas Receive Encouraging International Response

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

Ever since the opening-up of tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh (HP) for foreigners, the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting these tribal areas has increased manifold. With large number of tiny tourism units have come up in these areas to provide comfortable accommodation and other tourist facilities. “These areas are regarded to be rich in culture and invite culturally conscious tourists, who look forward to the experience and the quality of holiday, which can be derived by and large through nature and culture. Himachal Tourism is poised to become the principal industry. We have also been doing our share of pioneering work in the field of adventure tourism," mentioned VC Pharka, commissioner, tourism and civil aviation, HP.

He further added, "The state was the first and continues to be the only one, which has heli-skiing in the country attracting foreigners with paying capacity to the best powder-snows that the world can offer. Our experience in this venture has been very positive despite the initial apprehensions about possible disturbance to the environment and fauna. We further plan to expand the concept of heli-skiing by introducing activities like heli-trekking and cross country skiing."

Authorities in the tourism department consider the Chanchal range beyond Rohru, to have great potential for skiing with a ski-run of 9-10 kms. Similarly when paragliding was in its nascent stage in the country, the state started promoting this sport from 1984 onwards. Himachal is now one of the leading states in the country in the field. Providing further information, Pharka said, "We hosted the paragliding pre-world cup in year 2002, 2003 and 2004 at Bir-Billing in Kangra. Bir Billing area is acknowledged as one of the best paragliding sites in the world and by far the most picturesque. Another exciting event is the Himalayan Car Rally, which has been accepted very enthusiastically by motorists in and outside the country and has become an annual affair. The natural ice-skating rink at Shimla is the only one of its kind in Asia where tourists come to enjoy the ice skating every winter. We are providing training to the youth in taking up adventure sports as their regular profession. Other activities like skiing, mountaineering, trekking remain popular with the Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Manali likely to train 16,000 persons in adventure tourism this year. It provides seasonal employment to at least 400 persons annually. Himachal hosted International Rafting Cup in early 2004 and hopes to make it an annual event."