Lahunipara: Hundreds of picnickers throng the picturesque natural beauty Khandadhar waterfall at Budhabhuin of Talabahali panchayat under Lahunipara block in Sundargarh district.
This year too, many tourists and visitors came to enjoy the scenic beauty of the waterfall on New Year’s Eve Tuesday. The cascade was filled with music and dance as visitors had a gala time during picnic and sight-seeing on the occasion of New Year.
However, in comparison with the tourist inflow last year, the footfalls at the waterfall have been reduced, reports said. Locals attributed the less number of visitors to excess collection of fees by the authorities.
Locals alleged that the entry fee to the waterfall was increased for the festive season which hampered the visitors number. People were charged excess fees as entry that spread resentment.
Khandadhar waterfall which is famous for its scenic beauty has been made more charming by the Forests and Environment Department of the state government.
However, the excess collection of fees has affected the tourists flow. Locals demanded the administration to reduce the entry fee collection.
“Even as major tourist attractions charge a minimal fee, here they are charging way too much. This is the main reason why tourists are not coming here like previous years. Even, we local have stopped visiting it as who can pay such huge amounts,” a local said.
Several political parties have also opposed the excessive fee collection and requested the state government to review it.
This year, all the 29 cooking sheds were booked while 383 bikes, 52 three-wheelers and 258 four-wheelers arrived at Khandadhar. As many as 3625 tourists visited the waterfall.
While Khandadhar witnessed a decline in tourist incoming, nearby picnic spots including Darjing, Deodarah and Rukuda dams were crowded by picnickers.
Kuliposh ranger Mahendra Kumar Nath said that school and college students have been kept out of the purview of fee collection. Steps would be taken to reduce the fee after talks with senior authorities.
PNN
