After Lahaul, tribal Spiti shuts doors on tourists

Abhinav Vashisht
Kullu, November 13

After the self-imposed lockdown by three Lahaul panchayats in Himachal, Spiti residents have now decided to shut down tourism-related activities till March 31 next year to check the spread of Covid in the tribal belt.

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Spiti Tourism Society president Chhering Bodh said the decision was taken following a meeting that was attended by various stakeholders, including hoteliers, homestay owners, guides and travel associates. Bodh said snow and wildlife expeditions, jeep safaris, package tours and trekking would remain suspended till March-end.

Though Spiti witnesses heavy snowfall in winter, some tourists still make it to places like Kibber, Tabo and Kaza. “But even these areas will remain out of bounds for visitors,” he said.

Sissu, Koksar and Khangsar panchayats of Lahaul had two days ago stopped operation of hospitality units to break the Covid chain after a spurt in cases.