PONDA: Tourism season normally commences at Dudhsagar falls in the first week of October after the rains begin to recede. The Collem jeep operators are waiting for the standard operating procedure (SOP) from the government to start tourism season at Dudhsagar and also for the river water levels to reduce. Last year, the season commenced on October 2, but was shut in March this year due to COVID lockdown.
Dudhsagar Tour Operators’ Association president Dilip Mayrekar said, “We are eagerly waiting for the tourism season to commence at Dudhsagar and also for the SOP. We made efforts to start the tourism season and discussed the issue of commencing of tourism season with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.”
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He said besides SOP, the river water is also flowing at high levels due to rains.
“We hope the levels will reduce in a few days which will be suitable for the start of tourism season and at a same time SOP and permission of government is required,” he added.
Dilip said, “Around 400 jeep operators ferry tourists through the forest and cross the river via jeep at two places. Lakhs of tourists visit Dudhsagar each year to have a glimpse of the world famous waterfall and also to enjoy the adventurous journey in Collem forest in jeeps.”
He said, “The livelihood of around 90 per cent villagers depends on Dudhsagar who are involved in several business activities due to tourists visiting our area.”
He said, “Tourism season starts in October and lasts till May. Dudhsagar attracts many tourists. Our business came to a halt in March this year due to the COVID lockdown.”
When asked about the proposed double tracking, Dilip said, “We have no objections to the proposed double tracking, but our only demand is that the while carrying out double tracking the beauty of Dudhsagar should not destroyed. Our livelihood entirely depends on Dudhsagar tourism. Government has assured us to look into our demand.”
“We are ready for the tourism season by following COVID guidelines. We have decided to sanitise jeeps after each trip. Around 400 jeep operators earn their livelihood during the season by ferrying tourists to Dudhsagar through rough forest route by crossing the river at least two times before reaching the waterfall,” he said.
“Normally, at a time seven persons including the driver are ferried to Dudhsagar but now government SOP will decide such things on account of the prevailing pandemic situation,” he added.
