Team Herald
Ponda: The world famous Dudhsagar Waterfall at Collem which was closed during monsoon was opened officially for tourists by Forest Department by opening the gates of Forest Department. On first day itself around 161 Jeep trips ferried around more than 1000 tourists. The Official Function was held at hands of Savordem MLA Deepak Pauskar at a function held at Collem in coordination with Dudhsagar Tour Operators Association after which Jeep Operators ferried the tourists through Forest land.
Present were Collem Sarpanch Gangaram Lambore, Collem Range Forest Officer Paresh Parab, Tour Operator Association President Tripollo Sousa, Local Panch Nisha Shigaonkar, and signatories were present.
Speaking the occasion, MLA Deepak Pauskar said that local youth are depend for their livelihood by ferrying tourists by their Jeeps. Around 430 Jeep operators are registered with Forest Department but per day only 225 Jeeps with seven passenger in each jeep are permitted to ferry tourists at Dudhsagar.
This limit has to be removed so as to allow more jeeps per day and these efforts will be always there to remove this limit till the next season commences. He said while following Wild Life Rules we have to also see that the business of locals should be flourished . If railway is allowed to widen to increase its business then locals should be also given opportunity to extend their tourism business. He asked the visitors to obey forest rules and maintain clean environment during their visit. He promised to provide proper road and other infrastructure at Collem by costing around Rs 5 cr though GSIDC.
The President of Dudhsagar tour operator Tripolo Souza also demanded that restriction to ferry only 225 Jeep operators should be removed and more Jeep operators be allowed to operate to avoid dissapointment of tourists who come to visit Dudhsagar but return back due limited jeeps allowed to operate in a day.
Collem Sarpanch Gangaram Lambore appealed to maintain a clean environment and also assured to provide necessary facilities to tourist and jeep operators.
Dudhsagar water fall is around 14 km away from Collem Bazaar in forest land and attraction of world and domestic tourists. Many films including Chennai Express and others have been shot on this location. The railway bridge is located on Dudhsagar river adds to its attraction. It falls from around 1000 feets mountain almost appearing like falling from sky.
Only jeep operators registered with Forest Department who are mostly locals ferries the tourist to Dudhsagar through rough muddy, bumpy road in forest land. This season there has been rise in rates. One jeep can ferry seven passengers charging Rs 500 per person that is Rs 3500 per trip charged by Jeep Operators, besides there is minor fees to forest for lifeguard, cameras etc. The jeep operators needs special skill to ride towards Dudhsagar via rough road having to cross the river at least two time during the journey. As Forest Department is restricted only 225 jeeps per day.
, many times tourist who are arriving more than two thousands at a time has to return back with disappointment due to restricted Jeeps which the Jeep Operators are demanding to remove restriction and increase trips of Jeeps and also provide them employment as there are 430 Jeep Operators are registered. The Jeep Operators do their business on rotation basis with each one getting at least two to three trips in a Week. Jeep Operators says they have taken loans to buy jeeps but due to restrictions they cant get business as also tourist who are unaware of restricted trips has to return back with disappointments.
***Forest puts restrictions on Jeep operators stating it is ecosensitive zone. However locals question if Forest Department allows railway is allowed to widen double trech to increase its business then why there is restriction on jeeps
