Shell out ₹50 for trek to Triund from July

DHARAMSHALA: The tourists who want to trek to Triund, a hilltop campground overlooking Dharamshala town, will have to now pay ₹50 (per person) as a trekking fee from July onwards.

The state forest department has developed a software for online registration, through which tourists will be given permits to visit Triund after paying the requisite fee.

Besides, the department is also planning to limit the number of tourists visiting Triund hill. Only 500 tourists will be allowed to visit Triund per day while 200 of them will be allowed stay overnight.

Divisional forest officer (DFO), Dharamshala, Pradeep Bhardwaj said the trial of the software developed for online registration has been successful and it will be launched soon.

“From next month onwards ₹50 per-person will be charged from the tourists who want to trek to Triund hill,” he said.

The fee collected from the tourists will be spent on preservation of environment of Triund hill, which over the years has turned from a trekkers’ destination to a tourist hot spot, he added.

As per the forest department, burden on the tranquil hill increases manifolds in summer when tourists climb up in hoards to get a relief from the scorching heat.

While on weekends, the number of tourists visiting and night staying at Triund hill sometimes reaches over 3000.

Forest officials said, “Since the number of people visiting Triund was not fixed, it was affecting the environment and wildlife there.”

Forest department has also created a checkpost at Gallu, from where the 8 kilometre trek to the hill-top begins.

The DFO also informed that first aid centres will also be set up at Gallu checkpost and Triund. While the department is also planning to install eco-friendly bio toilets at Triund. Apart from it rescue teams will also be constituted to help tourists in emergency situation.

With mighty Dhauladhar mountains in its backdrop, located at a height of 2,850 metres, the Triund hill provides a perfect view of Kangra valley.