Manali Hotel Told To Pay ₹27,302 To Couple For Sharing Fake Balcony View Image

by Suchismita Pal
Manali Hotel Told To Pay ₹27,302 To Couple For Sharing Fake Balcony View Image

Hotels, homestays and similar properties usually put the best of their images on booking websites to lure vacationers. But some accommodations go to the extent of uploading fake images and descriptions to get the bookings confirmed. These inappropriate pieces of information can be major spoilers for tourists. They reach the properties and do not get what they expect and what they have paid for. Now, hotels might face the consequences of sharing misleading details. Chandigarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a travel firm and Manali hotel to pay ₹27,302 to a couple for uploading fake images of balcony view.

Picture Credits: Unsplash

According to Inshorts, the redressal commission stated,  “Honeymoon holds a special place and sentimental value in the lives of newlyweds.” So, the next time you book a hotel, do not forget to verify the information given on the websites. Check reviews of those who have previously stayed in the properties. Meanwhile, here are some more updates from Himachal Pradesh.

Now You Need To Pay Tax To Enter Himachal’s Lahaul Spiti District

The Spiti valley is one of the most picturesque stretches of Himachal Pradesh with surreal landscapes, stunning monasteries, glacial lakes and loads more. The highest village in the world, the Komic Village is also in this valley. Now tourists will have to pay taxes to enter Himachal’s Lahaul-Spiti district. Special Area Development Authority (SADA) has set up a barrier at Sissu in Lahaul for collecting the taxes.

Tax Rates Start At ₹50

Now you need to pay a minimum tax of ₹50 for entry to the Lahaul-Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh. Those with two-wheelers need to pay a tax of ₹50, cars need to pay a tax of ₹200, SUVs and MUVs need to pay ₹300 as taxes and buses and trucks need to pay ₹500.

Lahaul Spiti
Picture Credits: TOI

Spiti Bans Car Rallies In Snow Leopard Habitat To Protect Species

The Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary of Spiti Valley is famous for gorgeous creatures like snow leopard,  blue sheep, Himalayan serow and more. To protect these high-altitude species, the Lahaul-Spiti district administration has banned car rallies in the sanctuary. Traffic through the wildlife reserve can upset their natural habitat and also affect the reproductive processes. The mating season of snow leopards falls around February and March. Snow leopard, which is also known as the Grey Ghost of Spiti, thrives at altitudes between 9,800 feet and 17,000 feet. Their habitat stretches from the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary to Chamba district’s Pangi.

IUCN Has Declared Snow Leopard As One Of The Vulnerable Species

According to an HT report, additional district magistrate Gian Sagar Negi has issued a notification on the same. It states, “It has come to our notice that travel agencies organise car rallies, especially in winter, through the snow leopard landscape of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in the Spiti valley. In this season, wild animals such as the snow leopard, ibex, Himalayan serow, blue sheep and other high-altitude species come down to lower elevation due to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches.”

Snow Leopard Spiti
Picture Credits: Snow Cat Travel

The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has already declared snow leopard as one of the vulnerable species. Negi added, “In the larger interest of conservation of the vulnerable species of wildlife, no car rally will be allowed to pass through the snow leopard landscape of Kibber wildlife sanctuary from the road through Lidang, Demul, Komic, Hikkim to Langcha and from Rangrik bridge to Chicham via Kee-Kibber village.”

Also Read: Lahaul-Spiti Valley’s Snow Festival Commences In Style With Stunning Snow Sculptures

Uttarakhand Has Organised Snow Leopard Tours To Promote Wildlife Conservation

Apart from Himachal Pradesh, snow leopard tourism is also popular in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Tourism has organised winter-special snow leopard tours in Harsil to promote wildlife conservation. The project has been a part of the SECURE Himalaya Project that aims to secure livelihoods, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems. India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre came up in Uttarkashi Uttarakhand in August 2020. The conservation centre aims to boost winter tourism in the state, apart from protecting the species.

Snow Leopard Spiti
Picture Credits: Pixabay

Also Read: 5 Places In Uttarakhand That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Snow

Snow Leopards Reside In 12 Countries: WWF

Snow leopards reside along the stretches of the western Himalayan region, from Jammu and Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The majestic animal prefers steep, rugged terrains with rocky outcrops and ravines. According to a World Wide Fund (WWF) report, snow leopards live in 12 countries including India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. These big cats have grey or green eyes and thick, long tails for balancing on the rocks. Meanwhile, here are 10 places in India to enjoy a white winter wonderland: