Kullu villages near national park sans amenities

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 28

Suffering from lack of basic facilities since decades, the residents of Shakti-Maror and Shugad villages of Banjar subdivision in Kullu district have urged the state government to provide these at the earliest.

The location of these villages — vicinity of the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Kullu, — is a hindrance in carrying out any development works.

The villages do not have power supply, telecommunication facility and road connectivity since the Independence. They told The Tribune that six months ago, the HP State Electricity Board had sent over 200 electric poles to the villages, which raised their hopes of getting electricity supply. However, the poles are still lying there and no nothing has been done to install them. The villagers said there were reports an NOC was awaited for putting up power lines in the area.

Nam Chand, a resident of Shakti village, said having road connectivity, telecommunication service and power supply connection were a dream of villagers.

“Villagers have to trek for 35 km to reach a road, which is a daunting task for senior citizens, children and patients.

Similarly, lack of communication facility was a big hindrance. The villagers, sometimes, at the time of dire need, have to use whistles to call people of other villages,” Chand added.

The villagers said the state government should take up the matter with the GHNP authority effectively so that a power line could be installed in the region.

When contacted, Sanjay Kaushal, Superintendent Engineer of HP State Electricity Board, Kullu, said, “Forest clearance is awaited from the national park authorities. They had raised some objections. We have represented the case for forest clearance. As soon as the clearance is received, the execution work would be carried out.”

Banjar MLA Surender Shaurie said he would take up the matter with the state government.

Getting nod tough

The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is a hindrance in carrying out development works in Shakti, Maror and Shugad villages in Kullu district. The way to these remote villages passes through the GHNP area in Sainj valley. The GHNP area is covered with forest trees like deodars. To provide road connectivity and install power lines, forest trees will be required to be pruned, getting approval for which from the GHNP is tough. Therefore, carrying out any development activity in these villages is proving difficult. 

No power supply, telecommunication facility

• Shakti-Maror and Shugad villages of Banjar subdivision in Kullu district lie in the vicinity of the Great Himalayan National Park.
• The villages do not have power supply, telecommunication facility or road connectivity
• Villagers have to walk about 35 km to reach the road and call people of other villages by whistling in times of need