A group of small-time entrepreneurs and vendors, including a few fishermen families, which is dependent on the income from tourist activity on the Manginapudi beach near Vijayawada has represented to district Collector Buddha Prakash M. Jyothi to immediately lift the ban imposed on the visit of tourists to the beach.
The district administration, in association with the police, imposed the ban recently following the death of three tourists while they were taking bath in the sea.
The Tallapalem Beach Photographers’ Labour Association and vendors of different eatables approached the Collector and said that their plea to lift the ban a week ago had not been considered.
Those eking out a living selling corn and ice-cream, and photographers who take pictures of tourists and provide printouts instantly have lost their livelihood ever since imposition of the ban, which is aimed at ensuring safety of the people.
Their representatives B.N. Reddy, B.A. Murthy, and K. Charith Karthik said that fishermen were coming to the rescue of many tourists when they unknowingly enter the dangerous areas.
The State government, with the help of the Tourism Department, must put up signboards at vulnerable places warning tourists against venturing into the sea.
Development of the beach would take a beating if the ban on visitors is continued for long, and it will take a very long time for people to come back to the beach.
The representatives sought improvement in facilities to enable the tourists enjoy their trip to the beach. There are over 200 photographers and other vendors who are dependent on income from tourist activity on the beach.
