Shimla: Spectacular for its dense ice-cover, popular tourist spot Rohtang Pass is fast losing its snow white charm due to pollution caused by heavy rush of vehicles during the peak season.

The white sheen of the popular summer spot is gradually being lost due to excessive emission of carbon monoxide from unregulated number of vehicles and polythene bags strewn in the area, a senior environment scientist has warned.

The "unregulated" tourism and "failure" to strictly ban the use of polythene bags in the Rohtang pass spread over four square km in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh are having an adverse impact on its natural beauty, K C Kuniyal, senior scientist at the G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, told PTI.

According to an estimate, about 2,500 tourist vehicles arrive in Rohtang pass and go to many more passes through it everyday emitting excessive amount of carbon monoxide.

Kuniyal, who has carried out many studies on Rohtang pass, said that the impact of environment pollutants has started showing on the pass located 3,978 metres above sea level.

Another worrying sign is that in the recent years, the snow belts to the mountainous region have melted at a faster rate than they used to earlier.

In the past, the snow used to stay till June end but in recent years it is seen that it melts much earlier, he said.

Kuniyal said the adverse impact of the pollution could also be seen on the growth of valuable herbs around the pass.

The increasing fading of whiteness of Rohtang pass, which is a must-see for tourists from within India and outside, is reducing its charm, he stressed.

Despite a ban on the use of polythene bags, they could be seen in large quantities thrown in Beas river and other places, Kuniyal, who has been studying the impact of pollution on Rohtang pass since 1993-94, said.

The issue also found mention in the annual report sent by the institute to the Union ministry of Environment recently, he said.

Kuniyal stressed upon the need for making a proper arrangement for waste management on Rohtang pass.

The municipal corporation should earmark a separate place for throwing waste which should be disposed scientifically at the end of the day, he said.

The senior scientist stressed on coordination between municipal corporation and local bodies to check increasing adverse impact on environment in Rohtang pass.

Besides, he said that the traffic in the area should be regulated and only certain number of vehicles allowed in a day to avoid vehicular congestion.

Source : PTI