Tiff among hoteliers, administration over ban on trekking to Triund

A tiff has emerged between the hoteliers of Dharamsala and the district administration of Kangra. The hoteliers have flayed the ban on trekking in Triund area alleging that it was severely affecting their business.

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The hoteliers are alleging that Triund was the only snow point in Dharamsala and ban on trekking to the spot was leading to cancellation of bookings in hotels. The district administration, on the other hand, has maintained that the ban was conditional, keeping in view safety of tourists.

The district administration has already booked nine tour operators of Dharamsala for taking tourists to Triund despite ban. The ban on trekking in areas above 3000 metres in Kangra was imposed last month.

Sanjeev Gandhi, general secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Smart City Dharamsala and also a member of eco-tourism society of the state, said that Triund is the only snow point in Dharamsala region. These days tourists are coming to Himachal to enjoy snow activities. After the news that trekking has been banned in Kangra region at Triund many visitors have cancelled their bookings causing losses to the hotel industry.

He further said that instead of banning trekking the administration must promote Triund in an organised manner. “Unfortunately, this is the only point we are left to showcase coming to Dharamsala. Instead of imposing complete ban on trekking we must allow the eco-tourism up to Triund point as the trek is very safe till that point. We may ban further trekking to Ilaka and Jot Pass during the winters,” he said.

He argued that all the government departments and disaster management agencies, which are responsible for protecting the interests of the eco-tourism in the area, should ensure secured assess of people to the area. Eco Tourism Society along with local stake holders, authorised travel agents, guides and operators should work to ensure safe and joyous trekking to the tourists. Half-hearted approach and incomplete ban on the trek was discouraging and conveying wrong message among tourists and bringing bad name to Dharamsala.

“We need to market Triund in right perspective while providing safe trekking experience to the tourists. There are reasons to look at Triund as the highest footfall and revenue generating point at Dharamsala,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Hemraj Bairwa, when asked, said that there was no ban on trekking till Triund lower areas which are below 3000 metres. “The tourists and tour guides can take permission from the office of SP, Kangra, for going to Triund. However, in case climate turns adverse and there is heavy snowfall in the area, in public interest the permission given by the SP would be deemed cancelled.”

When asked how many tourists are allowed at Triund summit in a day, he said it has to be decided by the eco-tourism society of the Forest Department. The administration was just concerned about safety of tourists, he said.

To reach Triund summit in Dharamsala one has to trek about 7 km from Dharamkot, where the motorable road ends. The trek concludes in a lush green plateau at the top of mountains. From the Triund the majestic Dhauladhar mountains rise steeply and one gets a feel of being at the foothills of the snowclad mountains.