Unprecedented crowds were seen at various picnic spots in and around the city on the last Sunday of the auspicious Karteeka masam.
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) witnessed its highest-ever record number of 29,341 visitors on a single day since its inception, four decades ago. The gate collections of ₹5,60,170 was also the highest on a single day at the zoo, according to IGZP Curator B. Vijay Kumar.
The lush greenery in the sprawling 625-acre zoo attracts thousands of revellers during the annual Karteeka masam as they gather under the huge trees to chill out along with their family members and friends. Though the trees in the zoo suffered extensive damage during the Hudhud cyclone in October 2014, many of them sprang back to life with scientific restoration methods adopted by the zoo authorities.
A number of new saplings were also planted and the greenery in the zoo was largely revived.
The picturesque Kailasagiri drew thousands of visitors on Sunday. “Though it was good to see the cable cars (rope way) and the circular train operating continuously, the lack of regulation of traffic on the road and haphazard parking vehicles and taking them out turned out to be a pain in the neck,” said Pavan Kumar, who was part of a 12-member group from the city.
“The few play equipment on the hill are rusted due to poor maintenance, and they could turn out to be a potential risk for children,” he said.
“The huge crowds at Kailasagiri made us beat a hasty retreat. We went to the Kursura Submarine Museum and later to the R.K. Beach,” said K. Himabindu, an Intermediate student of St. Joseph’s Women’s College, who went with her relatives.
The littering of picnic spots with plastic waste like bottles and tea cups, instead of dropping them in the bins, came in for criticism from right-thinking individuals on social media.
Unique experience
Those who could afford the time and money are rushing to chill out at Sunray Resorts at Bhogapuram for a unique experience. The resorts has a number of trees, exotic plants, cycling and jogging tracks, children’s park, water slides and indoor games.
“Over 200 have checked into our resorts today. The day package which includes, breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks is priced at ₹2,000 per person and the guest can access the facilities from morning to evening,” said Srinivasa Rao, general manager of Sunray Resorts Pvt. Ltd.
