VALPOI
Throwing caution to wind, hundreds of tourists and locals have begun crowding the waterfalls in Sattari taluka.
On Sunday, large crowds were seen at different waterfalls in Sattari raising concerns over the further spread of Covid-19 in the area.
Locals said there was complete violation of the curfew that is still in force with SOPs completely going for a toss.
Angry villagers have demanded strict implementation of Collector's order and to ensure that tourists are totally banned at these places from next week.
Panchayats in Sattari have been urged to take steps in dealing with this situation with several prominent citizens asking officials to take immediate steps to ban tourists.
Officials at Nagargaon panchayat said a memorandum will be submitted to the Collector shortly in this regard urging him to ensure police presence in the area.
Panch member Parag Khadilkar confirmed the presence of a large number of tourists at Shelpe on Sunday.
“This will only create trouble for us and will lead to increase in the number of Covid infections in the area”, he said.
With heavy rains lashing the State in the past few days, these waterfalls normally spring to life in the monsoons attracting visitors.
Recently, residents of some villages had blocked roads leading to these waterfalls to prevent visitors from going there in the wake of the pandemic and to avoid nuisance at those places.
Most of the waterfalls under Sattari taluka fall within the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary area and villagers had put up boards on roads leading the waterfalls to stop the entry of visitors.
