Goemkarponn desk
DUDHSAGAR: After a long gap, Tourism activities today have resumed at Dudhsagar waterfalls.
Addressing the gathering, GTDC Chairman and MLA Ganesh Gaonkar emphasized that all jeep operators transporting visitors to the waterfall should ensure discipline and well-being of every tourist during their visits to the waterfall.
“I urge all Jeep operators transporting visitors to the waterfall should ensure discipline and well-being of every tourist during their visits to the waterfall,” said.
He further said that daily trips are expected to increase to 225 within the next couple of days as tourists are likely to throng the spot.
“This has boosted the morale of vehicle operators, hoteliers and allied business people in the area who are largely dependent on tourist footfalls to Dudhsagar,” he added.
Around 225 jeeps, which are distributed among the 431 registered jeep operators with the Forest Department, transport tourists each day to magnificent waterfalls that cascade from mountains up to a height of 1,000 feet.
The 14 kilometer return trip is also on rugged terrain, with the transporters carrying their passengers over the same distance. Due to the closing of the local mines, Dudhsagar tourism is the only source of income for the inhabitants.
Around 7 persons are transported by each jeep operator who is registered with the Forest Department, who charges Rs 500 per passenger for a total of Rs 3500 every journey.
Due to environmental concerns and rigorous environmental regulations because the tourist destination is located within the Mahaveer Wild Life Sanctuary, the forest department only allows a certain number of jeeps each day.
In addition to earning money for the Panchayat and the villagers, Dudhsagar Waterfall also generates a sizable amount of money for the Forest Department through jeep operators’ fees.
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