PONDA: Tourism season commenced at Dudhsagar Waterfall from Sunday, October 2, however, due to rise in the water level in the river, the jeep operators could not ferry the tourists to the scenic spot.
Around 431 Jeep operators ready to ferry the tourists to the majestic Dudhsagar waterfall at Collem had to turn down their guests, as they could not ferry them to the waterfall through forest area due rise in Dudhsagar River on account of heavy rainfall, leaving the tourists disappointed.
However, in next couple of days its water level is expected to become normal and jeep operators would ferry tourist to waterfall. After two years of Covid-19 pandemic when tourism was hit, locals including jeep operators, hoteliers, etc expect good business.
Savordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar speaking at inauguration function of the tourism season at Collem said that the Tourism Department would provide changing room facility, toilets and other infrastructure for tourists. He also said that efforts are on to provide better access to waterfall.
Among the total of 431 jeep operators registered with Forest Department, around 225 jeeps on rotation basis ferry tourist daily to majestic waterfall falling from a height of 1000 feet mountain. The transporters ferry their guests by treading around 14 km rough and rocky terrain and the return journey is also of equal distance.
With mining closure in the area, Dudhsagar tourism is the only livelihood for locals.
Each jeep operator registered with Forest department ferries around 7 passengers charging Rs 500 per passenger with total Rs 3500 charged for each trip. Since the tourist spot falls in Mahaveer Wild Life Sanctuary, there are strict environment rules and being eco-sensitive, forest department permits limited jeeps per day.
However according to locals, thousands of tourists from worldwide come to watch the famous waterfall and hence by serving tourists, locals also get livelihood.
Dudhsagar Waterfall not only provides revenue to locals and Panchayat in the form of fees but also huge amount of revenue is generated for the Forest Department by way of fees from jeep operators.
