Chandratal road widened for bus service, laws ‘violated’

bhash Rajta

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 3

A narrow road leading to the famous Chandratal, a part of the Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary in Lahaul and Spiti district, was widened a few days ago using a heavy earth mover to facilitate the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus service from Manali.

Sources in the Forest Department allege that the road was widened using a JCB machinery in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The wildlife wing of the Forest Department has sought a detailed report on the road widening work. “We have sought a report and if there’s any violation, action will be taken as per the rules,” said Archana Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.

The sources allege that the JCB machine was used in the core area of the sanctuary. “The place is an internationally recognised Ramsar site and no activity that disturbs the fragile nature of the area should be carried out”.

Hardev Negi, DFO (Wildlife), Kaza, said that a kucha road from Manali to Chandratal exists. “The PWD gets an annual budget for the maintenance of the road and the department repairs it every year,” he added.

“The road had become inconvenient for light motor vehicles and commuters had been requesting us to widen it. So, the PWD removed these bottlenecks to facilitate people,” he said.

Negi said that the road was widened to facilitate the movement of local people to the place by bus. “Taxis and other vehicles plying on the route charge a lot of money from locals,” he added. Those objecting to the widening of the road say that the ‘carrying capacity’ of the area will be adversely affected. “Around 50,000 people visit the area from June to September. Instead of restricting the flow of tourists into the area, they are allowing more people, posing a threat to its biodiversity,” the sources say.