Open Nilgiris dist to tourists, say hawkers

Udhagamandalam: The Nilgiris District Vendors’ Association staged a protest at the Ooty main bus stand on Saturday, urging the government to relax Covid restrictions and open Nilgiris to tourists. Banning tourism has affected their livelihood, they said.
“Since the lockdown last year, we have been facing difficulties. There was a good inflow of tourists only in the last three months,” said Mohamed Rafeek, a member of the association.“We are under tremendous stress because of the restrictions.” The vendors are doing business around tourist spots such as the botanical and rose gardens, Doddabetta peak, Ooty Lake, Sim’s Park, Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose in Coonoor.
Vendors in Burliar area also took part in the protest, which was supported by small-time vendors in the Ooty municipal market . “We want the government to relax restrictions and help us earn our daily bread,” said Rafeek.