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Back to Current File HP goes toll free to attract more tourists Shimla:
Tourist inflow into Himachal Pradesh is at an all time low following
the recent scare caused by the overflowing waters of the River Pareechoo.
Keen to overcome this problem, the state administration has decided
to set up toll free computerised helpline services at airports, railwya
and bus stations to help tourists visiting the area during Dusshera.
"This season the tourists were less because of the bad weather and to
some extent, because of opening up of Srinagar. But we are expecting
that we would get good number of tourists in the coming season. The
River Pareechoo got a lot of publicity, for which tourists feared to
come to Shimla," said Rooplal Sharma, a Manager at Himachal Pradesh
Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). "The facility of greater communication,
transport facilities and connectivity, the first of its kind by any
tourism department in the country, will come into operation within a
year. Adding to this we making attractive packages for Pilgrime tourism,
rafting and paragliding," said Tourism Minister G.S. Bali. Himachal
Pradesh till the month of May received around 31 lakh tourists. But
heavy rains compounded by fears about floods damaged the industry here.
Taxi operators too suffered a lot. Nearly all 22,000 taxi drivers in
the state reported serious business losses. "We suffered this season
due to the River Pareechoo. But things are improving now, we are hoping
that the coming season will be benefitting us," said Yograj Sharma,
a taxi operator. Among the several initiatives, undertaken by the state
are the introduction of the helicopter services and special coaches
to ferry tourists from Delhi to Shimla. The state government has also
announced plans to improve transportation links with other towns like
Kullu, Manali, Dharamsala. A ten-year tax holiday to attract NRI investment
into the state is also in the pipeline. Killer hooch trade flourishes in Rajasthan (Go to Top) Bhiwadi
(Rajasthan-Haryana Border): Spurious liquor is flowing freely in
Rajasthan, though a recent hooch tragedy took several lives. At least
10 people had died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Alwar
district four days ago. Using crude techniques, the illicit liquor-makers
ferment corn or sugarcane to make potable alcohol. The raw mixture is
usually boiled and the vapour passed through water to collect the condensed
liquor. Poverty-struck people say it is an easy way to earn a fast buck.
"We have border nearby. So it is easier to have the illicit liquor,"
said Chotu Ram, a liquor shop owner. Locals in Bhiwadi area blamed a
nexus between the police and administration for the flourishing trade.
"These people give a monthly payment to policemen. And then these vehicles
carrying illicit liquor cross to Haryana," said Raghuveer Sharma, a
resident. Meanwhile, the local authorities claim that they are taking
requisite measures to check such illegal trade in the area. "We carry
out raids at regular intervals in the border area. And in the past three-four
days we have been carrying out raids more frequently," Rajesh Meena,
Additional Superintendent of Bhiwadi, said. Anti-poachers drive launched in Jim Corbett Park (Go to Top) Nainital:
The world famous Jim Corbett national park has launched a massive
operation to root out poachers from the sprawling reserve. Motorboats
are being used to carry out a recce of the 1300 square mile park. The
authorities have also employed 20 trained elephants to track down the
poachers on land, said A.N Singh, the park's sub-divisional officer.
Corbett Park is named after the famous British hunter-turned- conservator
Jim Corbett and is famous for its tiger, elephant, deer and crocodile
population. In last two years, several male elephants and tigers have
been found dead with their tusks and skins removed by poachers. This
has prompted the authorities to strengthen anti-poaching measures in
the park. Although wildlife trafficking is banned in India, the poaching
of animals continues. Nature lovers say that the Indian government Šis
not doing enough to protect its wildlife, particularly towards protecting
the country's dwindling tiger population. The tiger population has decreased
to around 3,000 from 50,000 in 1947. |
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