Uttarkashi: Two decades after massive landslides severely damaged around 100 houses in Uttarkashi's Varunavat mountain in 2003, local residents have proposed to develop the mountain as a " disaster management tourism " site. The idea, they say, is to " let people take in the beauty of nature while remembering its fury. "
In a recent expedition, a group of hoteliers and nature lovers rediscovered a 3 km-long trek route to the top of the mountain. This route, which was once used by local villagers, starts from the Uttarkashi bus stand and passes through a herbal forest and villages such as Bagyal Gaon, Pata and Sangrali.
locals have also proposed that tourists can remain in homestays and take the trek route to the mountain top.
" Varunavat isn't just any other mountain. It is historically and religiously significant. Not only is it blessed with rich varieties of flora and fauna, once at the top , but a person can also get an Uttar bird's - eye view of Kashi town. We want people to visit the site that was devastated by landslides. It was given a unique landslide treatment to stop more such disasters, " said Shailendra Matura, president of Uttar Kashi hotel association.
He added, " This place should be developed as a disaster management and eco-tourism site. If the government accepts the proposal, then it could be the first such initiative in the state. " Dependra Panwar, an adventure enthusiast and hotelier, added, " Developing Varuna vat as a tourism site does not mean to construct concrete structures or increase ve hicular traffic. Instead, the administration can develop a trek route, cycling trails, eco-park and an open museum by setting up sign boards with information about the 2003 disaster and treatment work. " Recalling the 2003 disaster, Surya Prakash Nautiyal, 37, a resident of Sangrali village, said, " The first boulder fell from Varunavat mountain top on September 24 and then landslides continued for over a month. Seeing its scale, we thought the whole of Uttarkashi town will get buried under the boulders. But due to timely intervention by authorities, not a single life was lost. "
Reacting to the proposal, district magistrate Abhilash Ek Ruhela said, " This is a unique concept. It can boost the rural economy. However, it is a sensitive place and the approval of experts is required. We will ask concerned departments to conduct a detailed study and draw a work plan. "
