Even as the HP govt approved the Rs 2,200cr proposed ski village project, environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna gave a renewed call for another 'chipko movement'.
Proposed ski village will displace 40,000 people around Manali
SHIMLA: Even as the Himachal Pradesh government approved the Rs 2,200 crore proposed ski village project to be set up by the US-based company near Manali in Kullu district, noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna gave a renewed call for another "chipko movement" to protect the ecology of the Himalayas.
Bahuguna, who was on a three-day trip to the state, had a lengthy discussion with various NGOs protesting against the project and said he would support their cause.
The NGOs had been fighting a losing battle against the project, but after Bahuguna decided to support their cause it has come as a shot in the arm.
Soon after he held a meeting with HP chief minister Virbhadra Singh expressing his serious concern at the ecological disturbances that would be caused in the long run. “The project which is being promoted by a company of Alfred B Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford, would affect nearly 40,000 people in 70-odd villages whose livelihood is dependent on hills where the Himalayan Ski Village is planned,” Bahuguna said.
The MOU signed between the company and the HP government granted blanket rights to the company on the forest for 99 years, which, Bahuguna said, was a matter of grave concern.
He said he was not against corporates entering the tourism sector but the interests of the locals as well as the ecology of the region must be protected.
“Besides ecology" he said, "security concerns should also be seriously addressed by the government as the entire military supplies to Kargil, Leh, Ladakh and Siachen were routed through this region."
The company plan to provide facilities for heli-sking and skating and also to build gondolas, ropeways and big hotels in the region, would surely pollute the Beas river which is a lifeline not only for people in HP but also those in Punjab feels Bahuguna.
The HP government, meanwhile, has given its nod to the project in spite of strong reservations expressed by some of the senior cabinet colleagues of chief minister Virbhadra Singh. However, the cabinet made it mandatory for the promoters to procure permission from the Union Environment ministry before going ahead with it.
The fate of the project was mired in controversy after the oracles in this region had ordained last year that the ski project would spell cultural and social devastation. The word of oracles is held in great esteem by the locals and received ready support from the BJP.
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