Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district has temporarily banned trekking above 3,000 meters in the Dhauladhar range, said DC Hemraj Bairwa on Wednesday. This decision is taken to preserve the public and its safety bearing in mind the difficult terrain of the region as well as the increased risks during winter with increased snow cover.
The DC added that those who wish to trek in low altitude trails, including Kareri, Triund, and Adi Himani Chamunda, will have to take permission from the Superintendent of Police (SP) Kangra. However, the government banned paragliding pilots from flying near the Dhauladhar range, pointing directly at the issue of safety in Kangra.
For an increase in precautionary measures, the director of SP’s office has been ordered to establish more personnel to closely watch the weather patterns as generated by the Meteorological Department of Shimla. The authorities have noted that the trekking permissions taken shall be canceled if the weather department gives any warning or alert pointing out that the area is highly sensitive to unfavorable and sudden changes in weather conditions.
Permission to violate the ban has been granted to entities involved in disaster management, such as; the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Search and Mountaineering Center Teams from McLeodganj, HP. Those rescuing operations participants, including local police, are also allowed.
The DC has directed the District Tourism Officer to make the owners of all tourism-related services in Kangra educate the visitors on the restrictions. That is why tourists have been told to obey the new rules to evoke fines as it will be addressed under corresponding chapters of the Bhartiya Nayaya Sanhita or Sections 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The directive aims to avowing commitment towards developing tourism while at the same time dealing with risks, asserting that the legal systems of the administration will not spare any violators, hence the need to adhere. They will continue to be effective until otherwise specified; changes will depend on the current weather situation and observation of incidents.
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