Anantnag: In a bid to prevent possible COVID-19 resurgence and damage to the ecosystem of Pahalgam due to heavy tourist influx off late, Deputy Commissioner/ District Magistrate (DM) (Chairman, DDMA) Anantnag on Wednesday issued a slew of measures and restrictions.
An order issued to this effect by the DM bars day picnickers from visiting the tourist resort on Saturdays and Sundays besides allowing visitors with confirmed hotel bookings only, on these days.
The order also fixed a fine of Rs 1000 for violators of COVID-19 SOPs including mask wearing.
SDPOs Srigufwara and Aishmuqam have been asked to establish checkpoints at Aishmuqam, Langanbal, Nunwan and Srigufwara to ensure only bonafide tourists having advance hotel bookings are allowed an entry.
Further, SSP has been asked to work out ways to reduce the influx of visitors to the site while traffic authorities will ensure smooth movement of vehicles especially at congestion points.
The order also prohibited haphazard pitching of tents and cooking at random places and directed concerned officials to designate particular areas for the tents.
Tehsildar Pahalgam and Assistant Director Tourism have been directed to ensure compliance to Covid Appropriate Behavior by all the hotels.
