Amid Omicron scare, tourist hotspots abuzz with tourists

Ranchi: Omicron fear hasn’t impacted domestic tourism in the state as prominent tourist hotspots and getaways in this tribal abode are witnessing steady rush of tourists — both domestic and from other states — this winter. Following over a year of lull owing to the outbreak of the global pandemic in March last year, many guest houses and hotels in picturesque locales such as Netarhat, Betla, Dalma and the likes are already reporting advance bookings for Christmas and year end revelry.
“We are full from December 20 to 31. Compared to normal days, we are receiving heavy footfalls on weekends. This weekend, hordes of tourists from Chhattisgarh, West Bengal visited and there is absolutely no fear or apprehensions among anyone,” said Abdul Wahab, manager of Prabhat Vihar hotel in Netarhat, one of the most visited destinations located in Latehar district.
Prabhat Vihar hotel, a government-owned facility, has about 39 rooms and 12 swiss cottages. “All are currently booked from third week of December till the end of this month. We are flooded with queries to accommodate but are helpless,” he said. Agreed an official of Green Palace, a private hotel located near Netarhar dam, “The successive lockdowns have stressed everyone and people now want to simply unwind to break the monotony of battling negativity for so long.”
Betla in Palamu Tiger Reserve in adjacent Palamu district is also receiving encouraging footfalls. A manager at hotel Van Vihar in Betla said that they are getting floating crowd more than those willing to spend night stay. “Those visit Netarhat come here to spend the day. But we have started receiving bookings for Christmas and New Year holidays,” he said. Dalma elephant sanctuary, another prominent tourist getaway in Chandil along Ranchi-Jamshedpur NH 33 too is witnessing similar trend.
Major waterfalls in and around Ranchi too are getting abuzz with travelers. Bindeshwar Mahto, a paryatak mitra at Hundru falls, said, “Over 500 tourists from Bengal visited here this Sunday. The numbers doubled than previous weekend,” he said.
Patratu dam in Ramgarh, about 40 km from Ranchi, too, is drawing hordes of crowd regularly. “People come here to enjoy boating. The sight of migratory birds all over the lake just adds to the charm,” said Ramakant Mishra, who runs an eatery near the lake stating that this site draws crowd round the year irrespective of the seasons.
Alok Kumar, general manager of Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC), conceded about fresh concerns of the virus spread but said that the decision on any further curbs will have to be taken by the government. “From our end, we have ensured that all our staff and workers at tourist spots are vaccinated and follow all the prescribed protocols. We are vigilant over the situation,” he said.