Chanshal to be developed as tourist spot

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 18

Chanshal is all set to emerge as a 365 days tourist destination with paragliding in summers and skiing in winters as a team of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) has conducted two trials and found the project feasible.

Chanshal is located at a height of 4,250 m in Rohru and is also the highest peak in Shimla district. The wind pressure was more during the second trial and now third trial for paragliding would be held on April 25 to measure the wind speed at different times to see the suitability and access the safe hours for paragliding, said Aditya Negi, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla.

Plan to hold festival in June

We are also planning to hold Chanshal festival in June to promote the area, provided the Covid situation is under control. A musical night will be organised, besides showcasing local cuisine and products during the festival. — Aditya Negi, Shimla Deputy Commissioner

The flight time would be around 10 to 15 minutes and modalities like take off and landing points were being worked out besides identifying local youth who could be trained in paragliding, he said. “We are also planning to hold Chanshal festival in June to promote the area, provided Covid situation is under control. A musical night will be organised, besides showcasing local cuisine and products during the festival,” he added.

The district administration was also contemplating to develop three-four sites on Chansal top under the eco-tourism umbrella with sitting arrangement and telescope as the site had a beautiful view, said BR Sharma, SDM, Rohru.

Moreover, the Pabbar has been cleared for river rafting which would be done in a 15-km stretch from Mandali to Sandour. To add to it, boating activities would be started in the backwaters of Sawara Kuddu hydropower project and Hatkoti temple trust would be roped in for management of boating facilities as the office of the temple trust is located near the dam site.

The initiative to Chanshal valley, the Pabbar river and backwaters of Sawara Kuddu hydropower project as tourist destinations under “Nai Rahen, Nai Manzil” will help in promoting these sites. The locals will be trained in adventure sports which will help in creating self-employment avenues at the doorstep.