Latest Move to Fight Overtourism in India – India Report
Photo Credit: The aim is to collect data on the number of tourists visiting these hill stations. (Image: Kodaikanal Lake) Tamil Nadu Tourism
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The court’s order follows the Tamil Nadu government report that said 20,000 vehicles enter these hill stations every day. This posed concerns for the elephants in the region as well as the drought prevailing in the Nilgiris.
The Madras High Court has made it mandatory for all motor vehicles seeking to enter the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal between May 7 and June 30 to obtain electronic passes. The aim is to collect data on the number of tourists visiting and the number and types of vehicles that are entering these hill stations.
Heavy traffic in the hills: The court’s order came as the Tamil Nadu government filed a status report that said 20,000 vehicles enter these hill stations every day. This posed concerns for the elephants in the region as well as the drought prevailing in the Nilgiris, though the court clarified that there won't be a cap on the number of e-passes issued.
Last month, the government of Tamil Nadu had agreed to fix the carrying capacity for roads leading to these eco-sensitive hill stations after a scientific assessment. The court has now asked the district administrations to collect as much information as possible regarding the tourists visiting these areas while
