Rohtang out of bounds, adventure sport dealers await gainful relocation

RohtangManaliExploring and developing new space for these vehicles would not be an easy task for government. Sources said Solang valley, another tourist spot here, is already crowded with 50 ATVs and has hardly any room for vehicles dispossessed from Rohtang after the high court order to preserve ecology. Either the operators will have to dump these extremely expensive vehicles or the government will have to identify new tourist spot to balance tourism, conservation of nature and employment of local residents.Solang villager Gurdayal Thakur was the first to import four ATVs from Dubai in 2004 and succeed in finding clients for them from among tourists. The joy rides on these machines in hilly terrains became so popular that other villagers, too, imported ATVs. So much so that ATVs and snow scooters soon emerged as a mode of self-employment for hundreds of youths and gave adventure industry a special identity in Manali. "My ATV experiment was a big success and hundreds of youths are depending on these machines for their livelihood," said Thakur. "Government has banned plying of these vehicles on the ground that these are polluting Rohtang pass. We agree with the government and have decided not to ply our machines here. But given our compulsions, a new spot should be developed for our business activities," said ATV operator Ved Ram.It may be recalled that local ATV riders had saved over 300 tourists who were stranded on the Manali-Rohtang highway after sudden heavy snowfall on January 4 last year. They had risked their lives to bring tourists safely to Kothi village during the night.Manali sub-divisional magistrate Vinay Dhiman said a complete ban has been imposed on running of ATVs and snow scooters in Rohtang area following the HC orders. "Villagers are cooperating with us. They can offer their services outside the restricted area provided they follow all safety guidelines," he said.