4th, May, 2022
Topic: Tourism Infrastructure in Himachal
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- The central government has reserved rupees 200 crores for the Bijli Mahadev Ropeway in Kullu, a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, within the framework of the ambitious Parvatmala project.
About Site:
- This place of pilgrimage is famous for its unique natural phenomenon.
- It is said that lightning periodically hit the temple during the rainy season, which divides the shivling into chunks.
- These pieces are assembled by the temple priest and coated in butter.
- The picture is restored to its original form until another similar flash takes place.
- It is for the periodic lightning (bijli) around the shrine, from which Shiva (Mahadev) is supposed to save his devotees, that this place is known as Bijli Mahadev.
Location:
- At 10 km of Kullu.
- Located 2,438 meters (8,000 ft), the Bijli Mahadev Shrine are 10 km from Kullu across the Beas River.
The temple is located opposite the town on top of a hillcrest.
MOU:
- Recently, in the presence of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct seven ropeway projects in Himachal at a cost of Rs 3,232 crore was signed between Highways Logistics Management Limited and Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation HP Ltd, the nodal agency of the Himachal Government.
- The government has been planning to build the 3-km Bijli Mahadev ropeway for a long time. Its construction will attract more tourists to Bijli Mahadev. The people of the valley say that the construction of the ropeway will increase the tourism business and create jobs.
- A large number of pilgrims visit Bijli Mahadev to pay obeisance to the Shivlingam situated on the top of the mountain.
Challenges:
- In the meantime, environmentalists have apprehensions about the negative impact of the rope. The flow of visitors will increase and adequate arrangements should be made to preserve the fragile ecology of the region. They say that the company, operating the ropeway, should be made liable for clearing and disposing of garbage in a scientific manner to maintain the sanctity of the region and there should be a provision of strict penalty for violation.
(Source: The Tribune)
Topic: Tourism in Himachal
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- The expert team of the Atal Vihari Mountaineering Institute and Lahaul-Spiti administration have identified three places for river rafting on Chandra-Bhaga rivers.
- At present, there will be rafting on the Bhaga river from Darcha to Jispa while on the Chandra river from North Portal of Atal Tunnel to Pagal Nala and from Muling bridge to Tandi Sangam.
Why important?
- Youth and tourists will be able to enjoy rafting for the first time on the waves of Chandrabhaga in the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh.
Important points:
- The expert team of ATal Vihari Mountaineering Institute and Lahaul-Spiti Administration has identified three places for river rafting on Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
- At present, there will be rafting on the Bhaga river from Darcha to Jispa while on the Chandra river from North Portal of Atal Tunnel to Pagal Nala and from Muling bridge to Tandi Sangam. The length of these three is from three to four kilometers. Three institutes associated with adventure sports have also registered themselves with the district administration for river rafting.
- However, the district administration has not allowed anyone to do commercial river rafting on the Chandrabhaga river at present. Of all the rivers flowing in Himachal, the volume of water of the Chandrabhaga river has been measured the most. Rafting on its waves will have a different thrill.
What is the amount to be charged per tourist for river rafting?
- For this, a meeting of the administration and the institutions related to river rafting will be called soon.
(Source: Amar Ujala)
Some More HP News:
1) Pro. Shashi Kumar Dhiman has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh Technical University Hamirpur for the second time.