M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, Dec 31: Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) officials have issued a caution note in the wake of the rising number of cases of Covid-19 in the state.
Deputy Director (North division) of the PTR Kumar Ashish said, “Our men are spreading the words in the circulating area of the Betla National Park and Palamu Quila urging tourists not to let their guards down.
Messages of caution are being displayed on the public address system round the clock, he said.
Betla National Park and Palamu Quila are two big attractions of tourists during the New Year festivity. Past experiences suggest that a mighty crowd of around 10,000 people reach these places either on the year-end or on the first day of New Year. It is also seen that the crowd that comes to Betla National Park invariably goes to the Palamu Quila and vice versa.
“Our men are asking the visitors to wear masks, maintain distance and avoid crowds as much as they can. Every tourist is expected to have with him his own hand sanitizer,” Ashish added.
On being reminded that tourists will visit inside the Betla National Park either in a hired vehicle or in their own vehicle, Ashish said in all conditions, the occupancy of the vehicle should not be jam-packed or overcrowded.
There are 15 registered vehicles that are available to the tourists on payment by the tourists. These vehicles have been directed to ensure that under no circumstances there should be any stuffing of the tourists in the vehicle and under no circumstances any roof sitting for a better view of the jungles in winter will be allowed.
Deputy Director (South division) of the PTR Mukesh Kumar said that his division has waterfalls like Lodh, Sugga, Mirchaiya etc where the respective eco-development committee has been asked to ensure that the health protocols are not violated by the tourists.
Mukesh Kumar further said that there is the whole range of the Netarhat beside the Sunset point and where they will be keeping hawk’s eyes so that Covid appropriate behaviour is not tossed up.
Sources said the PTR officials are simultaneously urging tourists and visitors not to use plastic bags and other plastic items as it is harmful to the entire ecology besides its use is under penalty of law as well.
Much the PTR officials strive for adherence to the Covid protocol by the tourists and the visitors in heat of rapture are set to throw caution to the wind, feared sources.
