Environmentalists to protest Himachal ski village project
Monday 11 June 2007
The Himalayan Ski Village Project plans to have luxury hotels, villas and facilities for skiing and environmentalists say this would disturb the ecology of the area threatening survival of about 40,000 people in 70 surrounding villages.
Himalayan Ski Village Project
The Himalayan Ski Village Project has been approved by the Government of Himachal Pradesh and an Implementation Agreement (IA) has been signed authorising them to proceed with the project.
However, environmentalists from across the country are planning to assemble at the site on June 18 to protest the proposed Himalayan Ski Village Project. The aim of the day-long protest is to put pressure on Himachal Pradesh government to cancel the proposed project that "threatened environment and the forest".
Himalayan Ski Village Project
One of the problems, according to the environmentalist's press advisor B R Verma, is that the project has allegedly acquired exclusive rights over water resources. They claim that due to plans for artificial snow-making, with the help of chemicals, the drinking water supplied to the villages would be contaminated.
The Himalayan Ski Village: is planned for Manali which rates as a very popular tourist destination in Northern India.The Himalayan ski slopes, particularly in the Kullu Valley, have been popular with international heli-skiers for over a decade.
Himalayan Ski Village Project
The resort will be built directly on one of the most popular hill terrains in the region and has been rated by the British Airways' in-flight magazine as amongst the top 3-heli-skiing locations worldwide.
The mountain access and ski trails will be designed by Mike Larson, formerly Design Director for Vail Associates, Colorado, and will cater to all levels of skiers, from beginners to enthusiasts.
Other Sports
The area offers numerous opportunities for non-skiers in both summer and winter and will offer adventure sports such as white water rafting, unlimited trekking, parasailing and mountain biking.
Himalayan Ski Village Project
International clientele
The Himalayan Ski Village expects to attract international tourists primarily from US, Japan, Korea, Australia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. The global appeal for adventure sports and skiing in the Himalayas offers enormous potential to attract tourists who would not ordinarily consider India as a holiday destination.
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Environmentalists to protest Himachal ski village project
