Save Himalayas

A “Ski Village” is being set up in Himachal Pradesh, which not only would make thousands of people to loose their lands, but will also threaten the ecological balance in this region. Major investment for this ski village is coming from Mr Albert Ford (great grandson of Henry Ford). Despite great opposition from environmental activists, Mr Ford has managed to get the final clearance for this project which will open by end of year of 2008. Some environmentalists in able leadership of Mr SunderLal Bahuguna (who headed the chipko movement) are still fighting against this project for environmental cause.

This project would leave several hundred without any work as against its claim of providing employment to 3,500 people in the tourist resort. The ski village being set up on 3,000 bighas of land at 8,000 to 13,500 feet height would not only cause irreparable loss to agricultural land but also make several medicinal plants extinct. The land that had been given to the Ford Company on lease for 99 years would adversely affect natural water resources and several drinking water supply schemes in the region. Besides, the chemicals being used in freezing the natural water would contaminate water and render the land unusable for agricultural purposes in future following which several of these schemes had been banned in the western countries.
- Sunder Lal Bahuguna

If you agree with Mr Bahuguna, please try best on your own level to support this cause. Please sign this online petition to support the cause. It is easy and it hardly takes a minute:

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More Information on the Ski-Village Project
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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051228/himachal.htm#1
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/205079.html
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/15/stories/2005061500691700.htm

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