Sissu panchayat bans tourist activities in valley from Jan 20 to Feb 28

Tourism activities in the scenic Sissu valley of Himachal Pradesh’s tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti district will remain suspended for 40 days, from January 20 to February 28, in order to preserve the sanctity of traditional religious rituals and age-old customs. The decision has been taken collectively by the Sissu gram panchayat, along with prominent religious and community bodies, reflecting the region’s deep-rooted respect for its cultural and spiritual heritage.

Sissu, located in the Chandra valley and often bustling with tourists, especially during winter due to easy access through the Atal Tunnel, has witnessed a steady influx of visitors in recent weeks. Despite harsh cold conditions, hundreds of tourists have been reaching Lahaul daily, drawn by snow-covered landscapes and adventure activities. However, local institutions felt that the growing tourist presence could disrupt the solemn religious observances scheduled during this period.

To ensure uninterrupted worship of local deities and the proper conduct of traditional rituals, a consensus was reached to impose a complete ban on tourism-related activities across the Sissu panchayat area, which was a routine after the tourist influx increased in the area. The decision was unanimously endorsed by the Raja Ghepan Committee, Devi Bhoti Committee, Labarang Gompa Committee, along with Mahila and Yuvak mandals of the panchayat.

During these 40 days, all villages under the Sissu panchayat, including areas around the helipad, will remain closed to tourism. Panchayat president Rajeev said, “The ban covers the entire stretch heading from Pagal Nullah to Ropsang. No tourism-linked operations will be allowed. All forms of adventure tourism will remain strictly prohibited. Activities such as all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, hot air ballooning, zip-lining, skiing, bungee jumping and tube sliding have been completely barred during this period.”

The religious restrictions are primarily linked to important local festivals such as Halda and Poonha, which require peace, discipline and spiritual focus. According to the panchayat leadership, the presence of tourists and recreational activities during this time could interfere with the observance of divine traditions, often referred to locally as “dev restrictions”.

The district administration has been formally informed about the decision. A delegation led by the Sissu panchayat president met the Keylong Additional Deputy Commissioner and requested full administrative cooperation in this connection. The panchayat also urged the authorities to ensure that tourist traffic was not diverted towards the Sissu helipad during the restricted period. Copies of the resolution were forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Keylong.

Local residents appealed to visitors and tourism operators to respect religious sentiments of the tribal community and adhere strictly to the restrictions. Panchayat representatives emphasised that such decisions were necessary for maintaining harmony between tradition and modern development, and urged collective compliance with the dev orders for the larger cultural well-being of the region.