Kufri’s small tourism workers face uncertain future

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 26

Life will not be the same for Sunuru Devi (in her early sixties) who runs a small dhaba (tea stall) in Kufri on the periphery of Shimla. Her husband died a few years ago. Nearly four recent weeks have been tough for her. She has to fend for herself and the uncertainty about livelihood gives her sleepless nights as there is no source of income.

The place, which was always overcrowded with tourists, wears a deserted look. A large number of locals, who were working in adventure parks, hotels, restaurants, are facing threat of losing jobs. Most people had given up farming and taken to tourism for better income.

About 10,000 persons of Kufri and the adjoining 12 panchayats, who are engaged in tourism and allied services, are facing bleak future. Porters, guides, horse owners, people engaged in adventure and star-gazing activities, travel agents, taxi drivers and others have lost source of income, said up-pradhan of Kufri panchayat Sohan Singh Thakur.

The government is providing the poor essential commodities but feeding horses has become a tough task. With no grass available in forests, over 200 horse owners are finding it difficult to feed about 1,000 horses as it requires an additional Rs 200 per day per horse, said Thakur who is also president of the Paryatan Ashv Malik Sudhar Sabha.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed and wish that the countrymen remain safe. Economic activities will take a long time to start and be normal. The tourist inflow is not expected to gain momentum before December 20,” says Nishant Nag, owner of an amusement park in Kufri.