Preparations are complete to welcome visitors to popular picnic spots and religious sites in Jharkhand as people get ready to celebrate the New Year, officials announced on Saturday. Despite the festive atmosphere, authorities have urged revelers to adhere to Covid protocols due to rising cases in some countries.
Various natural attractions like waterfalls, lakes, hills, and sanctuaries have witnessed increased foot traffic in recent days, according to a tourism department official. Major waterfalls in and around Ranchi, including Dasam, Hundru, and Jonha, along with dams at Kanke, Dhurwa, Rukka, and Patratu, have attracted numerous visitors.
The tourism department has deployed ‘Prayatak Mitras’ (tourist helpers) at various locations across the state. Additionally, the government has ensured heightened security with the presence of security personnel, drone surveillance, and divers at tourist spots, the official noted. While there are no specific COVID-19 guidelines issued, State Tourism Secretary Manoj Kumar emphasized the importance of precautionary measures such as wearing masks in crowded places and practicing hand sanitization.
The Jharkhand Prayatan Suraksha Samiti (JPSS), an association of ‘Prayatak Mitras,’ has been actively discouraging the consumption of liquor, the use of plastic and thermocol-made items, and loud sound systems around waterfalls, as stated by its president, Raj Kishor Prasad.
In Ranchi district, security has been heightened at 68 locations, with a senior police official emphasizing the mandatory use of life jackets during boating. In Dhanbad, access to the popular Maithon Dam has been regulated to manage crowds more effectively, according to a senior Damodar Valley Corporation official.
Religious destinations in Jharkhand, including the Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar district and the Rajrappa Temple in Ramgarh district, have also been witnessing an influx of visitors during this celebratory season.
