Nature’s Own

At a height of about 6,000 feet,at par with Kasauli and Dagshai,the area falls in a snow zone. So every time you hear of snow at Shimla,there is snow here too. The best part is that an hour and a half drive out of Chandigarh one arrives into delightfully cool climes. The resort is part of the Milan Centre complex,which Gaurav has painstakingly developed over the last 15 years,building luxury cottages here. When Gaurav initially forayed into this area,it was complete wilderness. And such is his passion for trees that he has incorporated three of them within the front balcony of his resort. His cottages too boast of trees within balconies – a source of much delight to their owners.

With Bhalla’s consistent efforts over the years,over ten acres of the complex now blooms with beautiful flowers,especially during September and early October. Gaurav has also inculcated his love for plants in the children of the labourers working in the area. For collecting the seeds and later strewing them all over the complex,Gaurav gives chocolates to the kids. And then he came up with another idea to take care of the weeds that grow within the plants. Gaurav has christened the weeds as ‘enemies’ and instructed all his employees that wherever these are seen,these have to be rooted out. So while going up and down as part of their daily work,the employees keep ensuring that the ‘enemy’ is sternly dealt with.

The 22-room luxury resort,which will be ready by the end of December,offers an excellent view of both Kasauli and Dagshai. And in keeping with his love for plants,Gaurav has developed fruit and vegetable farms over six acres near his resort. These boast of kiwi,nectarines,plums,cucumber,peaches,corn and many kinds of vegetables.

Gaurav recalls that when he started developing the area as a 20-year-old,he used to think of his friends having a good time in Chandigarh and other areas. “My father entrusted the complete development of the complex to me. What kept me going,working here all alone with my employees and labourers was my passion for trees and plants,” he smiles. Now in his mid-30s,he can beam with pleasure at how green is his valley.