Manali and its Sub-Region - Government of Himachal Pradesh

Annexure 73Manali Town Structure:Boundaries of Growthand Land-use controlThe fragile environmental and agricultural hinterland along with the sensitive riverineecosystem that surrounds Manali town today determines the limitations of growth and extentof future urban development. The ecological base of the sub-region along with all itscomponents - mountain slopes, forested zones, watershed areas, river basins and run-offpaths, highland pastures, bio-diversity habitats as well as cultivated land needs protectionand stabilization against continuous erosion and steady degradation due to human activities.Identification, recognition and demarcation of these eco-sensitive assets of the sub-regionas zones of natural conservation become imperative before strategizing growth anddevelopmental schemes for Manali town and adjoining human settlements paths, highlandpastures, bio-diversity habitats as well as cultivated land needs protection and stabilizationagainst continuous erosion and steady degradation due to human activities. Identification,recognition and demarcation of these eco-sensitive assets of the sub-region as zones ofnatural conservation become imperative before strategizing growth and developmentalschemes for Manali town and adjoining human settlements.Within Manali town, the present trend of commercial functions increasingly engulfingresidential areas of the settlement has created chaotic street conditions and overalldegradation of the quality of residential environment. The present regulation of permissible'mixed-use' for most planning zones is adding to the problem. Given the dynamic nature oftourism activities and heavy dependence on commercial functions for the same it isimportant that effective land-use controls be envisaged to protect residential pockets fromerosion of community spaces and social networks for children and the aged while addressingthe growing needs of the tourism sector.Intra-city movementPresently, the town core spreads itself on the western side of the main north-south spine ofthe settlement with lateral linkages connecting the inner recesses of the town to the spine. Anumber of interesting social spaces modulate this lateral movement network, at presentinvaded by random parking and goods movement. The proposed by-pass along the BeasRiver and the strengthening of movement networks along the left bank could assist in destressingManali town from most of the prevalent through-traffic that it encounters today.Unregulated and random roadside parking scattered along major streets as well as innerlanes has eroded the overall quality of the town apart from encroaching into vital walkingspaces for pedestrians. In fact, the loss of pedestrian areas for safe and carefree walking dueto incessant movement of vehicles within the town is one of the primary issues that need tobe addressed. The bus terminus situated in the central part of the core induces connectedconcentration of para-transit vehicular and goods movement apart from generating a rangeof activities all around itself thus contributing to the congestion and chaos of the alreadycrowded tourism center. Proposed shifting of this terminus by the authorities to a locationfurther south of the town is therefore a welcome move that could catalyze a series ofbeneficial changes in the heart of this tourist zone. However, the present market operationsadjacent to the bus stand catering mostly to local and sub-regional catchments need to beconsidered while formulating alternative proposals for such a shift, since the two arefunctionally interlinked.ServicesManali presently enjoys acceptable levels of some of the essential services including watersupply, electricity and basic sanitation facilities within the town. However, location of some ofthe infrastructural utilities like sewage treatment plant, garbage disposal areas, constructiondebris dumps as well as drainage and sanitation measures need to be re-looked given thesensitivity of such operations with respect to surrounding habitation and environmentalconcerns. Distribution of social infrastructure and civic amenities across the town also needsto be re-examined as part of the Vision Document exercise.The overall character of Manali town as an international tourist destination does not expressa distinctive and memorable image befitting this popular place. While the natural settingsurrounding the town creates the perfect backdrop to a spectacular urban landscape, the