Revival of the skiing slopes of Kufri, a famous tourist spot about 15 kilometres from Shimla, and various new camping sites and lakes around the natural water catchment spots are some of the proposals identified by the government for giving Kufri a facelift. In the last few years, Kufri has been on an ecological downslide due to unregulated tourism activities—haphazard construction, temporary shacks selling food and other wares, surge in the pony-riding business et al.

The focus is also on finding alternative livelihoods for nearly 400 families who are involved in the business of pony-rides at Kufri. The population of ponies has exceeded the holding capacity of the area, according to officials.

The Government recently discussed the Community Lead Kufri Sustainable Development Plan with the locals and other stakeholders, including the hoteliers in Kufri.

The proposals also talk of linking the local village panchayat to active tourism activities to give tourists a taste of local life and traditions. A community centre has been proposed for the purpose, which will be the focal point of all economic and cultural activity, in which the locals will be involved for alternative livelihood, say officials. Locals have expressed their desire to be part of the state’s home-stay tourism scheme and sought subsidy to repair their houses.

The forest department has proposed to develop the Mahasu Peak at Kufri, alternative skiing slopes at Kanohar Nullah where snow stays for a longer time, lakes at Jubbad Karyali and Choga and rerouting the pony-ride trail from the main tourist area that are under consideration.

... contd.