Sachin Sharma
The North News
Manali, March 19
Tourism stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali have come together to form a new body aimed at improving cleanliness, organisation and civic management in the popular hill town.
The newly formed Manali Development Council has been set up with the stated goal of helping transform Manali into one of the cleanest and most attractive tourist destinations in the country.
Speaking about the initiative, council president Sanjeev Thakur said the organisation would work closely with the administration to address shortcomings and improve the town’s overall appearance and infrastructure.
He said the council would bring together businesses and social organisations linked to the tourism sector to work collectively for Manali’s development and long-term well-being.
Mr Thakur said one of the immediate priorities would be to streamline activity on Mall Road, which he said had become increasingly congested and disorderly.
He alleged that some roaming vendors and tourism-linked businesses were contributing to littering and poor civic conditions by serving visitors in front of shops and leaving waste in public spaces.
He also called for action against those allegedly involved in illegal trade in the town, saying stricter enforcement was needed to protect Manali’s image as a major tourist destination.
Mr Thakur said the Municipal Council was already working to improve cleanliness in the town and added that the new body would coordinate with civic authorities to strengthen those efforts.
The council includes representatives from a wide range of local organisations, including the Hotel Association, Taxi Union, Auto Union, Tempo Traveller operators, Travel Agent Association, Luxury Coach operators, Trade Board, photographers, and adventure sports groups such as skiing, mountain biking and snow scooter associations.
The executive committee of the Manali Development Council is expected to be formed after the completion of the body’s registration process.
