After nearly 45 years, the Uttarakhand forest department has reopened the Kunthkal-Hanuman Chatti trek route near the Valley of Flowers.
The route was closed in 1970 as travelers started using the route from Ghangaria to reach the valley. The Ghangaria route was found to be easier and hence, the Hanuman Chatti route was closed. Over the years, dense vegetation covered the trail and it was somewhat forgotten. But during the Kedarnath disaster in 2013, the need for an alternate route was felt and eyes turned towards the old route.
As a result, authorities decided to refurbish the dormant route. This move will attract adventure enthusiasts and promote tourism in the state which is trying to revive its economy after the calamity in 2013.
Reopening the old route will provide an alternate route for rescue teams in case of any disaster. This will help speed up relief and rescue operations, which was a challenge in 2013, due to the topography of the region.
The 15-km long route is home to gorges, rivers, streams, and glaciers. It is a visual treat in every way and is also an ecological hotspot. A trek on this route will introduce travelers to a variety of flora and fauna. The jewel-like Brahm Kamal flower can also be found on this trek. The flower is found at an elevation of 4500 meters above sea level, and higher.
Simply speaking, Uttarakhand government is working on new and innovative ways of promoting tourism in the state. Recently, the government made public its plans of converting Kedarnath into a winter sports hub. The government’s efforts are not just limited to tourism though. The state and its people have learned a valuable lesson after the 2013 tragedy. Many reforms taking place in this part of the country are aimed at mitigating the loss of life and property in the event of a disaster.
(Featured Image Credit: excitingindia.in)
