Himachal Pradesh: As this is the summer season and vacation also has started of school. Tourists also increased in the hilly areas, it is increasing the pollution in the areas. Due to the overflow of tourists in Atal Tunnel Rohtang, feelings of concern have also arisen in the government machinery regarding the tribal district eco system.
For this reason, for the first time the state government has constituted an 11-member committee regarding Rohtang Tunnel. Director Tourism has been made the chairman of this committee. This committee will give suggestions to the state government regarding over-tourism, traffic management, safe, adventure activities etc. in this area and will ensure safe and sustainable tourism. After the opening of Atal Tunnel Rohtang, the number of tourists coming here is increasing rapidly every year. If we look at the figures of the last two years, a total of 25 lakh 76 thousand vehicles have crossed the Atal Tunnel between January 2022 and December 2023. During the same period, 1 crore 4 lakh tourists have visited here. This number is increasing every year. It is a matter of concern that from Solanganala to Sissu in Lahaul, no infrastructural facilities have been prepared accordingly.
Even Lahaul does not have the capacity to handle this much tourist flow. Last year itself, the state government had brought this area under the planning area, so that haphazard building construction does not take place. Now this new committee will address these concerns. Director Tourism is the chairperson of this committee, while DC Kullu, DC Lahaul, SP Kullu, SP Lahaul will be the members of this committee. Apart from these, Conservator of Forest Kullu and Lahaul, TCP Director or his representative, Joint Director Tourism, District Tourism Development Officer cum SDM Lahaul will also be members, while District Tourism Development Officer Kullu has been made the member secretary.
Principal Secretary Tourism Devesh Kumar said that due to the construction of Rohtang Tunnel, the tourist flow here has suddenly increased. Therefore, this committee has been formed to take necessary precautions and protect the eco system from possible damage.