Mankotia expresses reservations over Ski Village

Shimla, Oct 16 (UNI) BSP's chief ministerial candidate Vijai Singh Mankotia today expressed his reservations over the setting up of Himalayan Ski Village in Manali, saying the Chanchal Ranges in Rohru area of the district were best suited for the Ski village.

''Chanchal Ranges in Rohru area at about 10,000 feet were best suited for the Ski Village with its 12 km long run and easy accessibility,'' he said at a press conference here.

Mr Mankotia said a Norwegian team had submitted a report to the state government almost 15 years ago, recommending the setting up of the village.

Stressing the need for partnership with local people in the on-going tourism project, he said unless the local people were made major stakeholders in the project, it would lead to their ouster from their age old habitats.

He said such projects had also hurt the religius sentiments of the local people.

UNI