The Himachal Pradesh forest department has initiated the process of capping camping at Triund, one of the state’s most popular trekking destinations in the Dhauladhar mountain range in Kangra district, at 240 tents across a designated three-hectare glade. The move aims to prevent overcrowding and ensure transparency in camping operations while protecting the ecological integrity of the Triund landscape.
The general body of the Dharamshala Ecotourism Society has also taken a decision to make it mandatory for all trekking and hiking activities to be conducted through trained and registered guides after October. They have all agreed to this initiative. Within the carrying capacity, only 80 tents will be allowed per hectare. “A fresh registration process has been initiated, and we have invited applications from tourist guides seeking registration until Friday (October 16). To regulate camping, we will distribute allocation of 240 tents among the registered guides,” he said.
Under the ecotourism mandate, all trekking and hiking activities are to be undertaken through trained tourist guides to ensure visitors’ health and safety, fix accountability and protect the ecology, according to forest officials. Dharamshala divisional forest officer (DFO) Amit Sharma said, “We held a meeting with the hotel association, the Adventure Tour Operators Association and other stakeholders. Dharamshala Hotel Association president Ashwani Bamba said, “Tourists visit Triund to enjoy its ecology and landscape, which need to be protected.”
