Row over parking charges hits tourists at Lamb’s Rock
COIMBATORE: Tourists were disappointed due to a ban on vehicle entry to Lamb’s Rock viewpoint in Coonoor.
The spot, a favourite among tourists, was barred for vehicles by the forest department over the last two days. The Lamb’s Rock viewpoint in the forest area is located at Burliar village, around 8 km from Coonoor.
Earlier, the Burliar panchayat used to collect parking charges from tourist vehicles, which led to a dispute between the forest department and the panchayat over authorisation on collecting parking charges of vehicles.
An official of the forest department said that following the conflict, the stretch leading to the view point was surveyed and it was concluded that it belongs to the forest department as the stretch passes through land earmarked for social forestry.
Hence the forest department imposed a ban on vehicles coming to Lamb’s Rock viewpoint. As a result of the ban, the tourists were forced to walk for more than a kilometre from Coonoor to the viewpoint.
Unable to take the long trek, many tourists have started to skip the location.
“The Lamb’s Rock, which used to be crowded with tourists, now appears deserted. Due to the absence of tourists, many shop keepers were also hit by poor sales. The district administration should intervene and find an amicable solution to the issue. If this continues, tourists may not come at all,” said a shop keeper.
Lamb’s Rock, named after one Captain Lamb, who made earnest efforts to open a path to the place, gives a good view of Coimbatore from its viewpoint.