As picnic-goers are making plans to spend quality time with family and friends this winter at waterfalls near the capital city, Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) is endeavouring to prevent the mishaps commonly associated with these falls.
And for this, the Corporation is taking several measures, foremost of them being deployment of Paryatak Mitras. Deployed near every waterfall, these Paryatak Mitras will be the ones responsible for delivering a safe experience to the visitors and maintenance of their designated falls.
“We have appointed local youths to act as Paryatak Mitras near the waterfalls and will be paid regular wages. Even in the past, it used to be the local residents who arrived first to help in case of any accident. And that is why they were selected for the job,” stated JTDC Managing Director Sunil Kumar.
A total of 96 Mitras have been deployed at the six waterfalls near Ranchi and distributed based on footfall and chances of accidents. “40 Paryatak Mitras have been stationed near Dassam Falls. Hundru Falls and Jonha Falls get 15 Mitras each. Panchghagh and Hirni Falls will have 10 Mitras each with 6 deputed at Sita Falls,” he added.
In order to make them easy to recognise, Paryatak Mitras will execute their duties wearing a uniform, a safari suit with JTDC written on it, cap and shoes, informed JTDC General Manager Rajiv Ranjan.
Corporation’s previous plans to depute trained divers near unsafe waterfalls will now be executed through the Paryatak Mitras only. Even in past cases of drowning near the falls, it used to be locals who conducted primary rescue operations as divers.
“Some of the Paryatak Mitras already are good divers; the rest will be trained shortly. We are planning to outsource their training. An Expression of Interest will be floated soon for trainers interested in teaching them diving. If everything goes according to plan, we will hold a training session for the Paryatak Mitras by January next year,” Ranjan said.
The plans to fill up potholes in Dassam falls will also be expedited soon, assured Kumar. But not before summer, it would seem.
“We are waiting for April when the waterfall dries so that the potholes can be filled up easily. Usually, there is 25 to 30 feet of water in the potholes hidden at Dassam, which will be brought to four feet,” Kumar said.
He further added, “We will also put up warning signs, cautioning visitors from going near dangerous spots of a waterfall. We are also in touch with the nearest block hospitals so that they are prepared to provide medical assistance in case of an untoward incident.”