Manali, a once pristine valley up in the Indian Himalayas kept a secret well underneath her belt. A haven for adventure tourists, honeymooners and backpackers that frequent the small town every year, Manali harbours a dark secret that is rarely seen. Referred to as The Valley of the Gods, western intervention has transformed this Garden of Eden into a sinister hub of crime and debauchery.

Located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali enjoys summers that apples trees and vegetables flourish in. One plant in particular, thrives in this weather- the climate and soil here is perfect for its opportunistic nature. Though not endemic to Manali, this herb has become so much of a part of the local landscape. Over generations locals have found countless uses for it- from herbal remedies to cooking recipes. The plant is called Cannabis sativa, or better known as Marijuana. To the locals, this herb transcends beyond its reputation of abuse. It is a plant that is traditionally known for its high quality fibre- locals fashion rope, shoes and sacks from its stems. Hemp seeds are used traditionally as a flavour additive colour for their cooking. Marijuana plays a big part of religious practise in many parts of India. Charas, or hash is traditionally used by local yogis and shadus (holy men) as a catalyst for meditation. Locally known as Charas, is said to help them calm their bodies and mind thus enabling them to better achieve a state of meditation.

 

Manali’s fame for its perfect conditions for the proliferation of Marijuana has made the locality a hot spot for tourism, trade and consumption. Its remote location in the Himalayas makes law enforcement difficult and therefore makes it an ideal place for Charas farming. Fields are close to remote villages and access to these places by road can be very difficult. There has been much resistance from the locals against the government building roads to their villages. They fear that these roads will make their villages more accessible to the police and enforcement officers. Since the Marijuana industry boom in the 1970’s, the trade has evolved exponentially. It is estimated that 80% of the local community rely on the Marijuana trade as a means of sustenance. To boot, the Charas originating from this region is of the highest quality. The coveted ‘Manali Cream’ continues to win awards in Amsterdam and reaps millions of dollars each year.

As a result, the local economy has really picked up from its contraband fame. In the last 15 years, hotels, resorts and restaurants are built through the trade. This in turn has opened up job opportunities for the locals in Manali. Many locals have made enough money to own the land that they cultivate and harvest marijuana on. Nepalese workers are hired to work on the fields during the harvest months. However, this new riches doesn’t come without a price. The bounty that the marijuana trade has bestowed upon the locals takes back as much as it gives. According to the locals, a string of missing persons and murders have risen exponentially. Local police deny that these murder and missing cases has anything to do with the drug trade. Local policemen claim that most of the missing person cases, was part of unfortunate incidents occur during mountain trekking / climbing activities. Many Nepalese immigrants who move to Manali in search of a better life find themselves working on Marijuana fields during the harvesting period to earn extra money away from their regular jobs. This has resulted in more cases of Nepali workers being arrested in police raids and subsequently prosecuted under strict Indian drug laws.

Though much of what is grown here is commissioned by an international syndicate for the international drug market, a small portion of the drug is sold for local consumption. Drug peddlers have been reported selling marijuana and charas to schoolchildren. Peddlers once successful, will often try to get the children on more addictive drugs such as cocaine. It is reported that hundreds of school children become addicts every year and the problem is escalating.

Being a part of Manali young generation, Dinesh, 26, inherited his family’s gold business and was one such young person to have fallen into addiction. In his youth, he was exposed to the lifestyles of the western tourists who come to Manali in search of a ‘cosmic high’. At full moon parties, Dinesh graduated from Marijuana to cocaine and smack. It was a path that would have led him to certain destruction. Dinesh, left that world behind some years ago since then has been working with the younger generation in educating them on the ills of drug abuse.

In Kullu, a neighbouring village to Manali, a drug rehabilitation centre set up by an NGO Kullu-Manali Drug Rehab Centre has been set up by ex-addicts which offers help to drug users in the area. The centre uses what they call the “12 Steps Programme” adopted from the USA to help addicts overcome their compulsion. So far the centre has been able to reach out to hundreds of addicts and provide them the support and shelter they need. The centre has to date helped 45 persons recover from their addictions. This is the light of hope in the darkness that looms over this community. Among those who benefit from this amazing effort is Akshay, 22, who has a repeated drug abuse problem. He suffers serious behaviour disorder, a result from his serious addiction to drugs. He is now undergoing the established “12 steps” program, to help him cure his addiction, and attitude.

” Its important for us to support each other, because in a place like Manali, India , we cant reveal our identity as an addict, We will face social stigma from our own people, and we will be outcast. That will be the end for us. This place give us option to start again in life”, He said .

Despite the problem that haunts and slowly contaminating the society, turning this peaceful valley into darkness, The centre offers a glimpse of hope to shed some light on to the Valley of God.