Shimla: Asia's Biggest Ice-Skating Rink Struggles to Seek Tourists Attention

Shimla: Amid government’s push for elevation of tourist places in country, Asia’s biggest natural ice-skating rink located in hills of Himachal Presh’s Shimla, is struggling to seek attention. Surrounded by shanties and construction material, one of major tourist attractions of ‘queen of hills (Shimla)’, ice-skating rink is largely suffering because of development negligence.

skaters alleged that rink, which once featured in several Bollywood movies, is now narrating a tale of neglect and unsustainable development. Moreover, construction activities in its vicinity and global warming has taken its toll on skating sessions, which have come down from 100-120 sessions every winter to 30-50 sessions.

Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president MK Seth, "It is very unfortunate that government is amant on finishing natural skating rink, rar than restoring it or making an all season indoor rink for residents as well as tourists," reported news agency PTI.

Shimla witnessed about 60 per cent tourist footfall, lowest in 4 deces on New Year

Talking to news agency, Seth stated, “This year, Shimla witnessed about 60 per cent tourist footfall, lowest in last four deces on New Year, which was on weekend, despite prediction of snow by wear department. It is high time that government finds a way to promote tourism, and restoring ice-skating rink is one of initiatives that should be taken on priority.”

Skater Gurjot said that a lift is being built outside skating rink and construction material has been dumped at site on land of sports department, reducing size of rink drastically.

Anor skater stated, “Even more annoying is fact that land of sports department is being used to dump muck, debris and construction material. In dition to it, proposed construction of a bus stand and a lift would undermine ecology and micro-environment of area and jeopardise rink's future.

Not only this, parking area of rink has reportedly been covered with shanties which house dhabas, rickety eateries, and stores. Due to shanties in parking area, skaters, including women ferrying young kids, have a hard time parking, disembarking and or allied logistics.

Talking to news agency, Sports Director Sandeep said, "We have given no objection certificate (NOC) for construction but all formalities to be done under bidding regulation code has to be done by executing agency."

Climate change has also taken its toll on ice skating at Shimla. lowest number of six skating sessions was witnessed in 2017 while maximum of 118 sessions were held in 1997-98.

Shimla Ice Skating Club informed that detailed project report (DPR) of Rs 40-crore project for all-wear ice-skating rink has been prepared. However, club members are worried that shrinking season would take a toll over winter attraction of 'queen of hills', as skating sessions, which used to start at end of November, have alrey shifted to mid December.

history of club dates back to 1920, when tennis courts were converted into a natural ice-skating rink by Irish military official Blessington. During winter season, when he sprinkled water on tennis court to settle grass, it froze within seconds and he immediately thought of converting arena into an ice-skating rink.

But, due to climate change, global warming, reckless felling of trees and haphazard construction in vicinity of rink and demolition of Rivoli atre above rink, which used to block direct sunlight, coupled with pollution caused by bus stand junct to rink, temperatures have increased and ice-skating session is shrinking.

Besides tourists, skating is considered as a leisure activity by a majority of skaters and re is a craze among kids to enjoy sport, but as y grow up, y take it up as a secondary activity.