Calling for direct action against the proposed Rs 1,600-crore Himalayan Ski Village Project at Manali, noted environmentalist Sunder Lal Bahuguna today urged the people of the state to initiate a “long-term battle to thwart global economic giants from squeezing Himalayan natural resources”.

He also urged women to support the volunteers for sustaining the battle and protests against the project. Bahuguna was speaking at a protest rally convened under the aegis of the Himalayan Policy Campaign Committee here today.

Advocating the need for formulating a strategy to fight the company, Bahuguna said the multinationals had been squeezing the natural resources of the country and depriving the people of the nation of their right to earn a respectable livelihood from it.

“People have the right to use water resources, forests and land for their livelihood and their rights cannot be transferred to a company promoted by Alfred Ford,” Bahuguna warned.

He said the people should put pressure on the Himachal Pradesh Government and the Union Government to scrap the project, adding that he would take up the issue with various environmental groups in the US to highlight how a company promoted by an American was harming natural resources in

India.

Earlier, a large gathering of people held a protest march, with Bahuguna spearheading them in an open Gypsy, through Naggar, Chakki, Haripur, Karjan, Khaknal, Jagatsukh, Prini and Aleo villages before reaching Manali town.

On their way, the protesters raised slogans against the proposed Himalayan Ski Village project, while many foreign visitors watched the protesters with curiosity.

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