Illegal trekking camps removed from Hamta Pass

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 8

The trekking monitoring committee of Kullu district removed illegal trekking camps from Hamta Pass area near Manali in Kullu district at the weekend. A majority of the offenders are outside the state, who were running this business without permission from the forest department.

According to the members of the committee, fixed trekking camps were found in Hamta Pass area, posing a serious threat to the ecology of the area. On inspection, the checking committee found number of clients in the camps was more than the actual permission taken from the forest department.

Ravi Thakur, a member of the association, said a majority of service providers were IT or marketing professionals, who have little knowledge about adventure activities. Lack of knowledge among service providers may prove fatal to tourists in Kullu-Manali. So, there is an urgent need to keep vigil on such activities.

He said at some places trekking camps were found right in the middle of rivulets, which could be dangerous in the event of any flood-like situation. These service providers have recruited guides from outside the state, who are not familiar with this tough mountainous terrain.