Even as the High Court’s directives on improving the tourist-friendly atmosphere at Courtallam are being translated into action, there is still a lot to be done to attract more visitors, feel the public.
After the court banned use of oil, soap, detergent, shampoo, shikakai powder etc., at the waterfalls, the ubiquitous empty sachets that litter the surroundings and the stink emanating from the ‘clean-bath’ exercise of the masses have vanished. Banners warning tourists against use of prohibited items have been kept near the waterfalls. When visitors occasionally try to violate the order, they are evicted by the police after a warning.
Washing clothes in the river has become a thing of the past with constant monitoring by the police. First-aid kits with medicines are kept ready near the waterfalls. Though the personnel collecting parking fee, as per the court order, are supposed to wear uniform and display the identity card issued by the Courtallam town panchayat, it is yet to be translated into action. However, they do not collect excess parking fee and two policemen have been deployed at each parking fee collection point round-the-clock.
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Tourists are happy over the visible changes in and around Courtallam. Traffic snarl during weekends and haphazard parking of vehicles have gone and cleanliness near the waterfalls and other places can be seen.
But the appointment of a regular Executive Officer will be more effective. This has been pointed out in the second report filed by T.S.R. Venkataramanan, Advocate Commissioner, appointed by the court to submit a report on Courtallam. “Top officials should visit Courtallam whenever they find time to make it more beautiful,” said Mr. Venkataramanan.
The moss-filled pits in the bathing area of the Five Falls, caused by the flow of water, should have been filled with concrete before the onset of the season. Tourists tumble at the danger zone, unaware of the moss.
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No system is in place to check the quality of food being served in the eateries and their rates. Consumption of liquor on the roadside continues in some places. “We’ll conduct more inspections and file reports in the High Court based on our findings in the days to come,” Mr. Venkataramanan said.