PrashantNews
The Uttarakhand forest department has started gate fees of Rs 50 per person for entering Tiffin Top and China Peaks, two eco-tourism sites in the hill resort of Nainital prompting nature lovers to register their protests against the move.
“Brilliant out of box idea counterproductive for eco-tourism, a positive irritant for old fogey like me and nature lovers. Three officials at 3 entry points selling tickets. A levy which does not offer any service in return, except discouraging nature lovers from visiting the still pristine places. I am sure the collection cost is going to be much more than the receipts…,” said Indu Pande, former state chief secretary, a native of Nainital wrote on the social media.
“I generally go for trekking whenever I am in Nainital. I will talk to government officials on this issue,” said Pande.
Pande said very limited people go for walks on these treks. Even in China Peak, the trek is so tough that not everybody can muster courage to go for walk there.
When contacted, Nainital DFO Chandrashekhar Joshi said the department has started levying tickets in these sites for the solid waste management. “We are collecting waste mainly plastic from these areas. . People have complained that there was lot of waste and plastic in these areas. For the better solid waste management of these areas, we have started gate tickets,” said Joshi.