Ban on bathing in 'Courtallam' waterfall .... will affect their livelihood ...!

Traders there have said that the ban on bathing in Courtallam Falls has affected livelihoods.

Courtallam, Tenkasi District receives light showers during the southwest monsoon season from June to September every year. Thus, the water in the waterfalls will overflow. Tourists congregate.

Bathing in Courtallam Falls lasted for 9 months from the end of March to the 14th of December due to the corona outbreak last year. Permission was granted to bathe in the waterfalls with the first restrictions on December 15th. Thus tourists enjoyed bathing in the Courtallam Falls regardless of the winter season.

Under the circumstances, bathing in Courtallam Falls was banned this year too when the curfew order was enforced due to the spread of the second wave of Corona. Corona proliferation is currently declining and has been given various relaxations and has returned to normal. However, the ban on bathing in Courtallam Falls continues. This has disappointed Courtallam area traders, hoteliers and tourists.

It hurts

According to Courtallam traders, the crowds are high only during the Saral season in Courtallam and during the Ayyappa pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The meeting is only about 5 months out of the year. Courtallam is weeded at other times. Courtallam area traders and hotel owners will get revenue only if tourists visit. With the income available in these 5 months the family has to look after the whole year.

There are about 500 shops in Courtallam. Not only hotels but also many houses are rented out to tourists. Auto, van and car drivers in Courtallam will get revenue only during the peak tourist season. The ban, which lasted for 9 months last year, has hit a number of tourist-dependent revenue earners hard.

The prolongation of the ban is painful as the Saral season is in full swing this year as well. As various relaxations are being given across the state, relaxations should be given in the courts as well.