Thursday, July 23, 2020
Although the federal government is considering reopening tourist locations in Visakha Agency, a number of tribal organizations are opposing this move. With increase in COVID-19 instances, these organizations are demanding stopping all tourism activities till the state of affairs are under complete control.
The Agency areas include a variety of scenic valleys, waterfalls similar to Chaparai, Borra Caves, espresso plantations, among all sought-after locations in Andhra Pradesh.
Araku Valley receives a steady tourist flow all year long. The authorities closed down all tourist locations in the state due to the pandemic in March. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister M. Srinivasa Rao has said that each tourism action would resume from August 1.
Although the federal government has relaxed the lockdown rules, tribal organizations and service provider associations held a voluntary lockdown in Araku, Paderu and some different mandals in the Agency final month. The residents are anxious that opening of tourism actions would result in increase of COVID-19 instances.
“Not a single COVID-19 positive case has been reported from the areas under voluntary lockdown since June 25. However, 10 cases have been reported from seven mandals which remain open in the Agency in the last three weeks. At a time when we are gearing up to enforce lockdown more stringently, the government is planning to open the areas for tourists. Such move at this juncture may lead to spurt in infections,” said Andhra Pradesh Girijan Sangham (APGS) chief Killo Surendra. “Even as the move is impacting farmers and traders, safety is our prior concern now,” added Mr. Surendra.
For the meantime, retailers’ associations, shopkeepers, house owners of enterprise institutions and locals have created a ‘Civil Welfare Association’ for monitoring implementation of the lockdown in Araku mandal.
Tags: andhra pradesh, India
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