Churdhar sanctuary introduces eco-friendly tourism model

The Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh has launched a pioneering initiative to blend environmental conservation with religious tourism at the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary. The move, which includes the introduction of regulated user charges, aims to address the growing influx of pilgrims and trekkers while simultaneously safeguarding the region’s rich biodiversity and enhancing visitor services. Dr Shahnawaz Bhat, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Division Shimla), shared these details with The Tribune, highlighting the department’s efforts to ensure a sustainable balance between tourism and conservation.

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Sirmaur district, is a significant spiritual and ecological site. It is home to the revered Churdhar Temple, a sacred destination dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shirgul Maharaj. Sitting at an impressive altitude of 11,965 feet, it is not only the highest peak in Sirmaur district but also the tallest point in the outer Himalayas.

The temple attracts lakhs of devotees from Himachal Pradesh and across northern India every year, making it a vital pilgrimage site. The sanctuary, however, is not just a religious landmark; it also hosts a rich variety of flora and fauna, making it a key ecological zone. Due to heavy snowfall, the Churdhar Temple remains closed from December to March, limiting access during the winter months.

With the increasing number of visitors, the sanctuary has been facing environmental strain, particularly due to the growing numbers of pilgrims and trekkers. In response, the Forest Department has introduced user charges for all individuals entering the sanctuary area, including those visiting the temple. However, pilgrims from the districts of Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan have been exempted from paying the temple entry fee, as these areas have a long-standing cultural and traditional connection with Churdhar. This exemption ensures that local religious sentiments are respected, while also addressing the environmental concerns arising from high foot traffic.

Currently, the Forest Department has stationed officials at strategic access points such as Nohradhar, Sarain and Pulbahal to collect these user charges. The revenue generated will go toward enhancing visitor amenities and improving the overall infrastructure within the sanctuary. Key services such as sanitation, drinking water facilities, solid waste management and emergency rescue operations will benefit directly from these funds.

In terms of the charges, pilgrims and tourists will be subject to different fee based on their residency status and the type of activity they engage in. For example, Himachali visitors to the temple (except for those from the exempted districts of Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan) will pay Rs. 20 per person, while non-Himachali visitors will pay Rs 50 per person for temple entry.

Trekkers, irrespective of their place of residence, will be charged Rs 100 per person. Camping fees vary based on the number of people in the tent: Rs 200 for a two-person tent, Rs 300 for a four-person tent, and Rs 400 for tents accommodating more than four persons. Foreign nationals will pay Rs 200 for sanctuary entry, with additional charges for tenting and photography.

Tenting fees for foreign nationals are set at Rs 500 per tent, regardless of size. Photography will incur a charge of Rs. 50 for Indian nationals and Rs 100 for foreign nationals. Professional filming, including movie or documentary shooting, will require a fee of Rs 10,000 per day for Indian nationals and Rs 15,000 per day for foreign nationals. Special events such as wedding shoots will be permitted for a fee of Rs. 3,000 per day. Mules/Horses: Rs 100 per trip (Mules carrying materials for the temple and Chudeshwar Seva Samiti are exempted)

“These charges are not intended for profit, but for preservation,” Dr Bhat explained. “Every rupee collected will go back into the sanctuary for infrastructure upgrades and ecological protection.” The Forest Department’s strategy is to create a self-sustaining system that reduces reliance on government funds while promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

An important part of the initiative is the regulation of previously unauthorised makeshift stalls inside the sanctuary. These stalls have now been replaced with eco-shops that serve traditional Himachali food in biodegradable packaging. The shops were initially auctioned to operators but will eventually be managed by local youth groups under a community-participation model, providing sustainable livelihoods for the local population while promoting responsible tourism practices.

According to the Forest Department, this new user charge system at Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary comes in response to the directives of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in the case CWP No. 2369/2018 (Suleman v/s UoI), which encouraged the state to implement structured user charge systems to manage pilgrimage and trekking sites with significant environmental sensitivity. Perhaps Churdhar has become one of the first destinations in the state to take actionable steps toward implementing these recommendations.

“This is a self-sustaining model that not only reduces dependence on government funds but also encourages responsible tourism,” Dr Bhat noted. “Our goal is to preserve Churdhar both as a natural heritage site and as a sacred place of faith. Protecting both is our top priority.”