File photo of the Vajrapoha waterfalls in the Jamboti-Kankumbi vicinity.
BELAGAVI
Incessant rains lashing the region have attracted visitors to the various waterfalls in Belagavi district and the district administration has now imposed a weekend ban on tourists to prevent them from rush to these sites.
In order to curb the rising threat of the third Covid wave, visitors and tourists from Goa, Maharashtra and other parts of Karnataka have been banned visiting the waterfalls and tourist places in Belagavi district.
Deputy Commissioner M G Hiremath issued an order imposing a ban on weekends and on public holidays.
According to the ban order issued on Thursday, tourists cannot visit Chikhale, Chigule, Kankumbi, Kirawale, Vajrapoha, Satoda, Man, Parwad and other places in Khanapur taluka on Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays. Tourists have been also banned from visiting Gokak and Godchinmalki water falls in Gokak taluka and violators will be dealt with firmly according to law, Deputy Commissioner Hiremath said in his order.
All these waterfalls within the vicinity of Jamboti and Kankumbi, including the imposing Surla waterfalls, come alive every year.
“Thousands of tourists from Maharashtra and Goa, including local tourists, visit these waterfalls during the rainy season. However, the decision to impose the ban has been issued in the wake of third Covid wave looming large,” Deputy Commissioner Hiremath told media persons.
The Superintendent of Police and the local tehsils have been advised to take appropriate action against violators. The ban will remain in force until the next order to lift the ban is issued, he said.
