Himalaya Ski Village Doubts
Plans for a luxury but environmentally friendly ski resort in the Indian Himalayas appear to have suffered a set back following a change in government of the country’s Himachal Pradesh region where the resort is due to be located.
The new “nationalist” BJP government has questioned the establishment of the resort which it is reported to believe was given the go ahead by the previous administration and national government after a lengthy consultation period, “without adhering to transparency and with not having obtained the clearance of the defence ministry, the impact such a large project would have on the environment and the culture of the sensitive Kullu valley.” according to local media.
New Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal told a press conference that the government’s primary concern is the environmental and cultural impact the resort would have. He also questioned why the resort has been located close to India’s border without, he believed, “national security implications” being considered and also why the site had been allocated without looking for bids from other potential developers of the site. Finally he said that what he considered limited agricultural land in the province should not be given over to tourism projects.
Development of the $350m, 115 acre Himalayan Ski Village appeared to be under way at the end of last year with the first of the development’s luxury villas reported to be coming up for sale at up to $1m each. Last season the resort’s backers had sent locals to Finland to train as ski instructors for the development and contracts were being put in place for development contracts with an initial opening date in winter 08-09 being mooted. It is now unclear if the political changes in Himachal Pradesh will delay the project.
The Himalayan Ski Village is backed by Alfred ford, grandson of the legendary motor industry mogul Henry and managed by his long term friend, a John Sim, a legend in US snowsports. It is billed as, “India’s Aspen” and as the first properly planned ‘hill station’ in India for 60 years and the largest inward investment in tourism in the country. For skiers there is potential for a vast terrain to enjoy.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc
