Environmentalists, villagers protest against proposed Ski resort in Himachal

Environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna on Monday joined a protest led by villages against the proposed international Ski resort here.

Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), June 19 : Environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna on Monday joined a protest led by villages against the proposed international Ski resort here.

The 250-million dollars Ski resort is being set up by Alfred Brush Ford, the great-grandson of US automobile pioneer Henry Ford. The project site overlooks the scenic Kullu, about 280 kilometers from the state capital Shimla.

The villagers say that it is unfair on the government's part to give away land to a foreign company in the name of development.Bahuguna, who spearheaded campaign -- "Chipko Movement" to save trees in the Himalayan region in Uttarakhand in the 70s and 80s -- said although people are conscious of their environment, they need to do some planning now to protect it.

He said: "My experience tells me that the public should question what is happening, just as we did during the 'Chipko Movement'. It succeeded after eight years of struggle. It is heartening to see awareness among the people, but now they should come up with a concrete plan".The project, touted as the largest foreign investment in the tourism sector in India, is being built in three stages. Besides slopes, the planned project would have gondola lifts, a 600-room five-star hotel, 300 chalets and a convention center.The first phase of the project was completed in 2006 and the resort is expected to be ready by 2009.

The company says the eco-friendly project aims to boost tourism, which is the backbone of the region's economy.

Ajay Dabra, Director of the Himalayan Ski Village, said: "Against what are these people protesting? The 3500 jobs we have promised or the proposed development of the State? They have not even tried to know about the project".

Once the project becomes operational, it would provide revenue to the tune of 300 million rupees annually to the Government, in the form of luxury and royalty tax.Himachal Pradesh boasts of some of India's best ski slopes. Nearly four million tourists visit the State every year and the figure has been increasing by about 15 percent annually.

ANI