Famed ski slopes of Kufri sliding to a quick death

Tourists coming to Kufri with all these fond memories may get disappointed now as they will only find the place swamped and highly polluted,which is threatening its existence as a famous tourist spot.

The forest,once rated as best in Shimla’s catchment areas and remembered for being a habitat for rare Himalayan species,is thinning. Dozens of trees have already dried up,while many stand chopped off from the middle. Others have signboards nailed into them and their roots completely exposed. Foul smell emanating out of the swamped area after rains makes Kufri a tourist’s nightmare now.

Natural water sources around Kufri have dried up and are buried under garbage,including banned plastics.

The road leading to Kufri is filled with mud. And the more than 1,000 ponies who have made it their home to cater to tourists only contribute to the growing pollution,insanitation and congestion. The animals are lined up along the main road,blocking the mobility of vehicles and pedestrian movement. The tourists taking a pony ride or walking to the famous Mahasu peak on the snow-covered narrow path have to take a calculated risk of sliding,climbing,falling,crawling and wading through dirty mud-pool. Many slip on the mud,injuring themselves.

Another problem,according to tourists,is the unruly behaviour of the pony owners. They allegedly don’t allow the tourists to take a walk up to Indira Point or Chini Bungalow unless they hire ponies. Shelters built for ponies are rarely used and there is no effort to clean the sites or preserve the ski slopes. Ponies are set free into the forests around evening hours,causing serious degradation to the greenery.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner J S Rana admits: “Disciplining ponywalas is a priority issue,besides checking pollution and other environmental degradations. Kufri is an important tourist destination that requires immediate attention. We will do the needful to protect Kufri from pollution.”

Dhian Chand,a leading hotelier who had mobilised local panchayats last year to save Kufri from environmental degradation and engage ponywalas in alternative livelihood ventures,is a disappointed man. “I have a plan prepared by an environment expert from abroad,which if implemented can transform Kufri to a tourist’s paradise and environmentally sustainable resort. But I feel disheartened for the lack of support,” he complains.

The state’s forest department has also not been able to check the degradation.

Principal Secretary (Tourism) Manisha Nanda says she is concerned about Kufri. “Before the next tourist season,the government will try to change the face of Kufri,involving local panchayats and stakeholders,” she assures.