Thursday, November 28, 2019

1.5L tourists visit Statue of Unity, 60,000By , Ahmedabad Mirror | Updated: Nov 4, 2019, 06:16 IST 1.5L tourists visit Statue of Unity, 60,000 visit Gir Gir and Statue of Unity are top tourist destinations in the State The places saw 60 per cent more rush than usual Over 1.5 lakh tourists visited the Statue of Unity and over 60,000 visited Gir during the Diwali week. Officials confirm tourists have been thronging to the two most happening tourist destinations in the state. Sasan Gir has been a favourite destination because it is the only natural abode of Asiatic lions. Besides, one of the important pilgrim places, Somnath, is also located nearby. According to DCF Sasan, Mohan Ram, "There have been more tourists to the park this year compared to last year. However, we have not been able to calculate exact numbers as we are still busy in dealing with the heavy rush." Tourists are now returning from Gir, Somnath and Diu following weather predictions in the wake of Cyclone Maha. The cyclone is expected to make a landfall in Gujarat this week. According to sources, more than 60,000 tourists have visited Sasan Gir, Devaliya Park and Amabardi and surrounding areas during Diwali holidays. With increasing lion population, the scope of sighting lions has also improved. The forest department has developed a safari park in Ambardi near Dhari so that tourist can see lions in their natural habitat in a short span of time. There, however, exists a limit on the permits for lion safari - the forest department issues about 180 permits every day. The permit is issued to a car which shall accommodate not more than six people. To meet the demand of tourists keen on spotting lions in their natural habitat, the forest department developed the Ambardi park similar to existing Devaliya park. Tourists can buy a ticket and visit these parks, open from sunrise to sunset, in a forest department vehicle. The new tourist destination that has been attracting lakhs of tourists this year, according to the state government, is Kevadiya. Over 1.5 lakh tourists visited Statue of Unity and other attractions in Kevadiya in a week. There are over 28 attractions at SOU site. Talking about the rush and arrangements made for the tourists, Rajiv Gupta, MD of Sardar Sarovar Nigam Limited and Additional Chief Secretary of Forests told Mirror, "There was heavy rush of over 1.5 lakh visitors. We arranged additional buses for eco-tours and toilets to address increased demand of the tourists." Despite government functions at SoU sites, the tourist rush had not abated; it has been increasing with every passing day, said sources. They said the rush at both the sites was over 60 per cent higher during Diwali than usual non-festive days.


1.5L tourists visit Statue of Unity, 60,000 visit Gir
Gir and Statue of Unity are top tourist destinations in the State
The places saw 60 per cent more rush than usual
Over 1.5 lakh tourists visited the Statue of Unity and over 60,000 visited Gir during the Diwali week. Officials confirm tourists have been thronging to the two most happening tourist destinations in the state.

Sasan Gir has been a favourite destination because it is the only natural abode of Asiatic lions. Besides, one of the important pilgrim places, Somnath, is also located nearby.

According to DCF Sasan, Mohan Ram, "There have been more tourists to the park this year compared to last year. However, we have not been able to calculate exact numbers as we are still busy in dealing with the heavy rush."

Tourists are now returning from Gir, Somnath and Diu following weather predictions in the wake of Cyclone Maha. The cyclone is expected to make a landfall in Gujarat this week. According to sources, more than 60,000 tourists have visited Sasan Gir, Devaliya Park and Amabardi and surrounding areas during Diwali holidays. With increasing lion population, the scope of sighting lions has also improved. The forest department has developed a safari park in Ambardi near Dhari so that tourist can see lions in their natural habitat in a short span of time.

There, however, exists a limit on the permits for lion safari - the forest department issues about 180 permits every day. The permit is issued to a car which shall accommodate not more than six people.

To meet the demand of tourists keen on spotting lions in their natural habitat, the forest department developed the Ambardi park similar to existing Devaliya park. Tourists can buy a ticket and visit these parks, open from sunrise to sunset, in a forest department vehicle.

The new tourist destination that has been attracting lakhs of tourists this year, according to the state government, is Kevadiya. Over 1.5 lakh tourists visited Statue of Unity and other attractions in Kevadiya in a week.

There are over 28 attractions at SOU site. Talking about the rush and arrangements made for the tourists, Rajiv Gupta, MD of Sardar Sarovar Nigam Limited and Additional Chief Secretary of Forests told Mirror, "There was heavy rush of over 1.5 lakh visitors. We arranged additional buses for eco-tours and toilets to address increased demand of the tourists."

Despite government functions at SoU sites, the tourist rush had not abated; it has been increasing with every passing day, said sources. They said the rush at both the sites was over 60 per cent higher during Diwali than usual non-festive days.
https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/1-5l-tourists-visit-statue-of-unity-60000-visit-gir/articleshow/71882746.cms

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