The lofty and green Nilgiris are welcoming tourists all over again, after being closed for around eight months due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The authorities have opened up the hilly district of Tamil Nadu on December 7, 2020, following the guidelines of the Centre. The Nilgiri Hills are a part of the Western Ghats mountain range and the Doddabetta Peak is the highest point in the hills. Some parks and recreational spaces in the area like Kattery Park, Rose Garden, Sims Park and Government Botanical Garden operated by the Horticulture Department had opened up a month ago. Now the remaining tourist spots, like Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Lake, Ooty Lake and Boat House, Kodanad View Point and more have also opened up. Tamil Nadu’s Kodaikanal had opened up for tourists on September 9.
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Nilgiris Are Allowing Tourists By Adhering To COVID Protocols
The picturesque district of Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu is finally open to tourists. All tourist spots operated by the Eco-Development Committees( EDCs) and the Tourism Department will now reopen for tourists. According to The Hindu report, president of the Pagalkodu Mund EDC, Northey Kuttan has said, “Based on the instructions of the government, we have provided hand-sanitizers, gloves and masks to all the staff working in the EDC. We will also disinfect the area such as ticket stalls and sitting areas every two hours.” In the tourist spots, the authorities are installing speaker systems and microphones to make announcements on the COVID-19 safety precautions like the maintenance of social distancing and wearing of face masks. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has a Shiva temple with music-making pillars.
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Boatmen Repaired Boats In The Ooty Boat House
In the Ooty Lake and Boat House, boatmen have repaired the boats and finished all other maintenance works to start operations. The boats had remained out of use since March and as per reports, some of them needed repairing too. Shopkeepers around the tourist spots will also get back to business by reopening their shops, which were shut due to lack of tourists. Meanwhile, here’s a short glimpse into the ghost town of Tamil Nadu, Dhanushkodi: