For the first time in 35 years the famous tourist place was shut due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Nearly 50,000 tribals have been unemployed.
@NarendraJourno1
Thane: The tribal community and villagers around Malshej Ghat in Thane district have been the biggest sufferers following outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. The tribals used to survive on small time livelihood sources such as corn sellers, ice cream vendors, Vadapav vendors and sellers of local fresh fruits. All these activities have been closed during the pandemic.
For the first time in 35 years, the famous tourist spot of Malshej Ghat was closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Nearly 50,000 tribal people have been unemployed. About three lakh tourists visit here ever year to enjoy the natural beauty of the hills, the greenery and the fog.
Malshej Ghat is also fondly called as Chhota Kashmir (Mini Kashmir). The tourists come here from Thane district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Raigad district, Pune and Ahmednagar to see the scenic beauty of the Ghat. A panoramic view of valleys is one of the major attractions here. It is also famous for its thick dark woods, waterfalls, fog and greenery during the rainy season. The Malshej valley is about 140 km away from Mumbai.
A tribal from Malshej Ghat said, “My entire family has relied on selling corn during the monsoon but this time could not do so as it was prohibited by the administration. We are helpless and need help to live during the Coronavirus.
The police personnel were deployed at every waterfall spot along the road which was prohibited for any halt by the tourists which made the tourists upset. Besides, these landslides from nearby hills caused roadblocks during the rainy season.
Kaptan Mali, a tourist while speaking to thenews21 said “I was completely fed up with having to stay indoors for the last five months. Hence I decided to go to Malshej Ghat along with my friends. But unfortunately, due to this Coronavirus disease, the waterfall point was declared a prohibited area by the local police.
Hari Bharot, a tourist said, “I came to Malshej valley with my girlfriend on a bike from suburban Bhandup in Mumbai. I thought that since the city has opened, I came here but due to police bandobast and Coronavirus pandemic, could not enjoy one of the best Ghats. The police told us not to overcrowd the place and to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and for our own safety”.
Digambar Vishey, former MLA of Murbad region said, “I have never seen the valley shut for the tourists in the last 35 years. During the monsoon, the tribal community did not get any job. They used to do some small business, but they could not do any business for the last five months. They do not have any alternate option to meet the expenses of the family. They all were worried by this Corona”.
The tourist can visit at Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC), where the divider was a build-up with the security purpose of the visitor and parking also available. Here, the tourists have been visiting taking advantage of nature, fresh air and pleasant environment, said Digambar Vishey.
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Suhas Kharmate, Assistant Police Inspector of Tokawade Police Station said, “We are not allowing any tourists to halt near any of the waterfall point on the road because of the order of closure issued by Thane collector Rajesh Narvekar. But the tourists can go to the MTDC site to enjoy that place”. –By Narendra Gupta
