With mercury levels dipping and winter vacations declared, the present climate spells picnic for many. Although, the picturesque tourist spots around Ranchi do tempt picnickers of the capital city, filth accumulated there is enough to give second thoughts to those looking forward to spend some quality time with their near and dear ones.
Of a mind to turn things around this year, Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) seems to be endeavouring to provide a cleaner experience to picnic goers. The Paryatak Mitras (tourist friends) appointed at all major tourist spots by the Corporation have been awarded the responsibility to make sure that the popular hangouts do not raise a stink.
“The locals appointed as Paryatak Mitras will look after the security and hygiene of the tourist spots. As cleaning equipments, they have already been provided dustbins and trolleys for cleaning up the hangouts in preparation for picnic season,” informed JTDC General Manager Rajiv Ranjan.
These Paryatak Mitras have been stationed at every major tourist place in accordance to the footfall they see. More than 80 of these tourist friends have been deployed at waterfalls alone, with more deployed at other places preferred by tourist and picnickers, informed Ranjan.
In addition, according to the new tourist policy for Jharkhand, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department (DWSD) is to supervise works to ensure hygienic sanitary conditions and clean drinking water at major tourist centres in the State.
“A frame work is already in place for making picnic spots clean and hygienic. We have already begun with acting on the plans made,” stated DWSD Special Secretary Jabbar Singh.
The Department has already begun constructing toilets and channelling drinking water to tourist spots in the city, claimed Ramesh Kumar, Chief Engineer of Project Management Unit of DWSD.
“Work is going on for making tourist spots more hygienic; the idea is to provide basic public utilities at the tourist places in the state. It is part of a composite scheme including several departments of the state government meant to better the conditions of tourist spots,” said Kumar.
“Making the tourist spots hygienic is crucial in turning them into preferred hangouts for tourists, local and foreign alike, further developing them as a source of revenue generation. The initiative is just a part of contributing to the growing tourism industry in Jharkhand. In the next six months or a year, much change will be seen in tourist spots regarding cleanliness,” he added.