Kullu: No NOC to tourism units with over 10 rooms in Tirthan valley

Representatives of seven panchayats of the Tirthan valley in Banjar have decided that gram sabhas will not issue no-objection certificate (NOC) to allow the construction of hospitality units more than 10 rooms in the valley. This decision was taken to curtail commercialisation of tourism. The Tirthan valley attracts tourists because of its natural beauty. The number of tourists visiting here is increasing year after year. Tourism is becoming one of the means of livelihood of the people. To assess the benefits and harm caused by tourism to locals, a joint meeting was held at Gushaini on Sunday. Banjar Block Panchayat Samiti chairperson Lata Devi said the valley, including the World Heritage Great Himalayan National Park, had immense potential for tourism and people would get employment opportunities at their doorsteps through tourism business. She said to preserve the natural beauty, environment and cultural traditions of the region, they would make joint efforts so that the valley could be preserved for tourism for a long time. Representatives of Tung, Sarchi, Pekhadi, Nohanda, Kandidhar, Shilli and Kalwari panchayats stressed that the community tourism should be promoted. The members unanimously decided that it would be necessary for all tourism stakeholders to obtain an NOC from the local panchayat before carrying out any construction. Tirthan Conservation And Tourism Development Association president Varun Bharti said the people were dependent on limited natural resources and the construction of big hotels and resorts would cause a huge loss. He said it was decided that the construction of hospitality units having more than 10 rooms would not be allowed. Jibhi Valley Tourism Development Association president Lalit Kumar said at present, the tourism in the Banjar valley was based on the homestay model and no hospitality unit was having more than 10 rooms.