COLLEM: Forest Department has directed Collem Tour Association to suspend their jeep services from June 20, till further orders. Accordingly, all the jeeps plying to Dudhsagar waterfall have been asked to stop their trips from Monday. Meanwhile, locals and tourists have demanded to reopen the trekking route to Dudhsagar, so as to allow monsoon treks for tourists.
Several tourists visit Dudhsagar waterfall every year. Special jeep services are available at Collem for Dudhsagar expedition. Forest Department shuts these services in monsoon every year, due to rising water levels of Dudhsagar river. Last year the tour had begun on October 2, and 413 jeeps were in service for tourists.
Jeep tours have been a source of income for local youth, however they are deprived of their earnings in monsoon as the expedition turns risky due to the fast flowing stream of Dudhsagar river.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has given training to over 100 youth for trekking to Dudhsagar. Youth and tourists are awaiting green signal for trekking from the Department
