Writing about avoiding to stay in Shimla seems counter-intuitive on this website. But while writing about travel destinations, I feel that I should also shed light on the woes of the overburdened places. Shimla is one of the oldest hill stations in the country and has its own charm which will always attract travellers. But its popularity is also doing a lot of harm to the place.
The Ridge is sinking
The video of a popular news site which I have shared below narrates a startling fact about this lovely town. It says that the Ridge, which is the prime attraction of Shimla, is taking more load than it can. The Shocking revelation is that the Ridge is gradually sinking and to make the matters worse it has a reservoir beneath which supplies water to the entire city. From this, you can imagine that in the event of collapsing of the ridge, the city can get flooded. Check out the video:
Click here to watch this video on Youtube.
Water Scarcity is becoming a nightmare
If the stress on the infrastructure wasn’t enough, Shimla is now reeling under the acute water crisis. Click here to read the report of Times of India. The following video shows a protest of the locals who have been deprived of water supply for several days:
Click here to watch this video on Youtube.
So, even if the situation improves, one thing is evident that Shimla is stressed. In fact, highly stressed. And the best thing we can do to save this historical hill town is that we avoid putting more pressure on it.
It’s not that travellers need to abandon this area. But we can opt to stay in the outskirts of the town. Even better, we can choose to stay in the surrounding villages or towns. In some of the surrounding villages, nature is still in its unaltered form, and peace still reigns supreme. And it is up to us that we keep them as they are and don’t create one more Shimla.
This brings up the question that which are the options. Let’s check them out:
Kufri
If you are after a fun-filled holiday with lots of activities for you and your kids, head to Kufri. This town is just about 16 km from Shimla. While the town itself is tasteless, its surroundings are beautiful. But you have to be very lucky to earn some solitude here as this area is very popular amongst tourists. Kufri is often under the veil of snow during winter and hence it is also a skiing destination.
Naldehra
This town is 30 km north-east of Shimla. Situated at a height of 6,706 ft, Naldehra is popular for its golf course. Developed by the British, this is one of the oldest golf courses in India. Don’t worry if golf isn’t your cup of tea, there are many opportunities for walks and treks to keep you engaged. You can explore the life of Himachal by walking up to the surrounding villages.
Kandaghat
Kandaghat is a small town 29 km south of Shimla and is just about an hour’s drive. If you are coming from Kalka, Kandaghat comes first. The biggest advantage of staying in Kandaghat is its location. It is situated almost midway between Chail and Shimla. So, Chail can be added to your excursions.
Mashobra
This town is situated just 14 km north of Shimla. It was developed by the British for the officials who wanted to stay at a peaceful place in the proximity of Shimla. It has many British-era bungalows and offers many leisurely walks. From here, you can take a trek to Shaili Peak.
Charabra
This small village is home to not more than 500 people. It has summer retreats of the president of India and the governor of Punjab. The forests here are thick and on clear days, you can get amazing views of Pir Panjal Range.
Shoghi
This tiny town is heaven for nature lovers and solitude seekers. Here you can walk endlessly in the woods with only birdsong for the company. Watching the rolling hills at dusk or at dawn is something you shouldn’t miss while in this town. Shoghi is 14 km south of Shimla. If you are going during monsoon, do take the information on the condition of the road.
Fagu
Fagu is a small but picturesque village. If you like walks and short treks, here you’ll be spoiled for choice. You can plan to climb up to Mahasu Peak or Tungesh Dhar. This village is 20 km east of Shimla and is a short drive from Kufri.
Further Reading:
- Traffic chaos and water scarcity in Shimla: Hindustan Times
- Shimla is overburdened: infochangeindia.org
- Shimla’s Ridge is sinking: Indian Express