Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Preserving Kalka - Shimla Railways (World Heritage)


To,

Shri Suresh Prabhu, 
Honorable Railway Minister, 
India.


Dear Sir, 

Wish you a very happy Independence Day!


With strong belief that our Indian Railways will continue to grow at enormous rate and contribute in creating New India. 

I am sharing my world class experience which I witnessed during my Kalka – Shimla journey in month of April- 2017 and as a responsible citizen of country I would also raise the issue of pollution(tourism) as well as making suggestions on what need to be done to preserve the beauty of Himalaya. 

Kalka-Shimla Railways constructed during British raj to enrich connectivity to that times summer capital of India. The toy train goes through massive mountains of Himalaya, throughout its journey to reach destination it took 96 km of length of elevation of 2000 m above sea level. This narrow gauge is having 102 tunnels and more that 800 bridges. The route flows through mountains like river emerge out of waterfalls. Barog tunnel is considered as one of longest high altitude tunnel in India. The world heritage site is one the most innovative ways of transport and contributed in social economic development of an area. Looking at the uniqueness and importance, Kalka Shimla the toy train has been declared as world heritage site in year 2008 by UNESCO. And it is easiest accessible site to missions of tourists.  

On very unusual beginning day of summer I started my journey to Shimla from Kalka with Kalka Shimla Heritage train. A small train is having its own empire, narrow gauge but massive determination, small loco engine, with salubrious pace; tiny passengers with turbine sprite, semaphore’s arms are welcoming us to glory of Himalaya. The feeling was so pure, it felt like someone is breathing after decades and living in moments.


The Kalka Shimla toy train is offering joy to eyes, one is passing through magnanimity of nature, massive mountains, deep values, sharpen pine trees. Mesmerizing experience of inclining hills on narrow gauge. Indian railways efforts to make mechanical orchestra as living fauna are really appreciable. The journey of 96 km completed in 6 hours, conquest of reaching to queen of hills would never to quench without food. The quality of food offered in Kalka Shimla World Heritage Train is very good as compare to other food services offered throughout the nation. 


The only issue with this food is that it comes along with plastic disposable materials i.e. plastic plates, small bags etc. After having meals passengers are thrashing these leftover in this beautiful Himalayean region because of lack of adequate dustbins in trains and proper waste management systems. Food vendors are also not taking this issue on very serious note. The non-biodegradable plastic entered into system will remain for very longer time affecting an entire ecological system. Which in terms affecting tourism trade. This is also violation of India’s commitment towards international convention on preserving world heritage sites. This pollution may not sound very serious but it has very deep and irreparable impact on environment. The garbage in form of plastic (pollutants) in Himalaya is difficult to collect due to difficult geographic conditions and it will remain in ecosystem for very longer durable in comparison with plain region. 

Railways have to find out various ways to tackle these issues. Complete ban of serving food is not recommended as its affecting the losing the losing the USP journey. Proving dustbins, ban on non-degradable plastic, selection of environment friendly vendors, installation on integrated waste processing units, creating awareness drive among tourist (banners, leaflets, and posters in trains) would definitely help to resolve this issue. I am sure that railways under your leadership will act and resolve this issue; hence your attention is needed on very high priority. 


Here is the time to sensitize and act on preserving our heritage. 


Once again wish you a very Happy Independance Day! 




Regards
Amol Nakv

Bhag lo, ya, Bhag lo! 

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Rusted but remained!

 Rusted but remained! Clicked at Matheran, Maharashtra, India.