CM Sukhu Inaugurates Nature Trail Near Shimla, Announces FRA Roads
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on 5 June 2026 inaugurated the first phase of the Rs 5 crore Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail near Shimla and announced Rs 5.20 crore for 16 Forest Rights Act roads in Kasumpti, combining eco-tourism with community connectivity.
Key Takeaways
The Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail was inaugurated by CM Sukhu at Poabo village near Shimla on 5 June 2026 .
The project cost approximately Rs 5 crore and was developed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department .
The trail spans 8 hectares with a 2.5-km walking path focused on environmental awareness, biodiversity, and sustainable tourism.
A bonsai garden — Vaman Vriksha Mandal — houses about 40 bonsai plants of 15 species as a key attraction.
Rs 5.20 crore was announced for 16 FRA-approved roads in Kasumpti assembly constituency .
Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh and other dignitaries attended the event.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday, 5 June 2026 inaugurated the first phase of the Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail at Poabo village near Shimla, a project developed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department at a cost of approximately Rs 5 crore. The occasion also saw him announce Rs 5.20 crore for construction of 16 roads in Kasumpti assembly constituency under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Context
Speaking at the inauguration, CM Sukhu noted that the trail — spread across approximately 8 hectares — features a 2.5-kilometre walking path designed to promote environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism. The hilltop location offers panoramic views of Shali Shikhar, Mahasu Shikhar, Naldehra Horse Trail, Mashobra, Craignano Nature Park, and the Shimla water catchment area.
A dedicated bonsai garden called 'Vaman Vriksha Mandal' (Bonsai Garden) featuring approximately 40 bonsai plants across 15 species is among the trail's key attractions. The project was developed entirely by the state Forest Department as part of Himachal Pradesh's broader eco-tourism push.
Policy Backdrop
The Forest Rights Act of 2006 — formally the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act — was enacted by the central government to vest forest land and resource rights in eligible communities. The announcement of Rs 5.20 crore for 16 FRA-approved roads in Kasumpti reflects the state government's stated commitment to translating these legal entitlements into on-ground infrastructure.
Himachal Pradesh has pursued nature trail and eco-tourism development in the Shimla hills as part of its sustainable tourism policy since the early 2010s. The Kamiana project follows that lineage while layering in biodiversity objectives, aligning with national emphasis on green development in Himalayan states.
Stakeholders and Impact
The nature trail is expected to benefit eco-tourists, local communities in and around Poabo village, and school and college groups seeking outdoor environmental education. The Kasumpti road announcements directly affect forest-dwelling communities whose connectivity has long depended on FRA approvals.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh was present at the event alongside other dignitaries, signalling coordination between the forest and rural development wings of the state government on community-facing outcomes.
What's Next
The inauguration covered only the first phase of the Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail; subsequent phases are expected to expand the facility further. Construction work on the 16 FRA roads in Kasumpti is now set to begin following the funding announcement. How quickly both sets of works progress will be a measure of the state government's delivery on its environment-and-connectivity agenda ahead of the next assembly cycle.
Point of View
Allowing the Congress government to speak simultaneously to green-minded urban voters and forest-dwelling rural communities in the Shimla belt. Kasumpti, a semi-urban constituency that includes parts of Shimla city, is electorally sensitive, and infrastructure announcements under a central rights law lend the move legal legitimacy beyond partisan optics. The choice of World Environment Day (5 June) as the inauguration date amplifies the messaging without requiring additional spend. For CM Sukhu, who has staked significant political capital on development delivery since December 2022, completing subsequent trail phases and actually breaking ground on the 16 roads will matter more than the launch event itself.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail in Shimla?
The Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail is a 2.5-km eco-tourism trail developed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department near Poabo village , Shimla, at a cost of approximately Rs 5 crore . It spans 8 hectares and includes a bonsai garden with 40 plants of 15 species .
Who inaugurated the Kamiana nature trail and when?
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the first phase of the trail on 5 June 2026 , which coincides with World Environment Day.
What is the Forest Rights Act and why are roads being built under it in Kasumpti?
The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 recognises the rights of forest-dwelling communities over land and resources. CM Sukhu announced Rs 5.20 crore to build 16 roads in Kasumpti assembly constituency that have been approved under this law, providing connectivity to eligible communities.
What can visitors see from the Kamiana Hill Top Nature Trail?
From the hilltop, visitors can see panoramic views of Shali Shikhar , Mahasu Shikhar , Naldehra Horse Trail , Mashobra , Craignano Nature Park , and the Shimla water catchment area .
Is the Kamiana nature trail project complete?
Only the first phase has been inaugurated. Further phases of the project are yet to be developed and completed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department .
