Udhagamandalam: Tourist spots in the Nilgiris would be reopened for the public from Monday (December 7), said district collector J Innocent Divya here on Friday. Presently, only botanical gardens are open for visitors.
All the tourist spots in the Nilgiris were closed in the last week of March after the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent lockdown.
While the government botanical garden, rose garden, tea park near Doddabetta, arboretum in Ooty and the Sim’s Park at Coonoor were opened for the public on September 9, Ooty Lake, Pykara Lake, Doddabetta peak and other tourist attractions in the district are still remaining closed.
Divya said, “All the tourist spots managed by the tourism department and eco-development committees will be opened for the public from Monday. As they were remaining closed for months together, works are on to spruce and disinfect all the tourist spots.”
While all the gardens fall under the horticulture department, lakes are managed by the tourism department. Tourism activities at the ‘shooting spot’, Doddabetta, Lamb’s Rock are managed by the eco-development committees.
The collector said the government was yet to make an announcement on reopening the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) for the public.
She also requested the tourists to cooperate with the district administration by adhering to the standard operating procedures.