Click to play videoMount Abu: The hoteliers and traders in Mount Abu, a popular getaway between Rajasthan and Gujarat, have called a three-day bandh to protest against a notification issued by the government.
The government aims to include Mount Abu and its surrounding areas in a forest sanctuary. But the traders feel the step will affect their business.
“The number of ordinary middle class tourists coming from Gujarat will drop completely, and entry will be restricted after sunset from Abu road to Mt Abu. Tourists will not be able to come,” says a protestor, Sudhir Jain.
Meanwhile, the tourists have been caught off-guard. The shops in the hill station are closed and public transport has come to a halt.
“We’ve not been able to go sight seeing and they are saying it will go on for three days. We'll leave for Jodhpur by the next government bus. We are facing a lot of problem,” says a tourist, Nivedita Dutta.
The people of Mount Abu see the move as a major setback to tourism, which is the backbone of its economy. But the government says such measures have to be taken to protect the environment.
“Their daily bread is fine but to protect the environment there are losses and gains involved, you have to give up something to gain the other,” says State Minister for Forest and Environment, Rajasthan, Laxmi Narayan Dave.
The Government is in no mood to relent. And the traders and hoteliers say their protests will continue. But it's the tourists who'll have to bear the brunt.
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