HYDERABAD: Alarmed by the rising number of accidents during the taking of selfie pictures at tourist sites, the Union ministry of tourism on Wednesday issued an order to tourism departments of all states and Union Territories to mark 'selfie danger zones' at tourist sites.
The states have been asked to identify the selfie-danger zones, erect signs giving warnings, post tourist policemen, sensitise through public awareness system, barricade the danger zones and spread awareness through social media campaigns.
This year as of February, India has seen more selfie-related deaths than any other country in the world. However, Telangana has not seen a major mishap during clicking of selfies.That is the reason why Telangana tourism department is yet to gear up in a big way to prevent selfie-related deaths. But, accidents don't come with a warning.
“We have tourist police at major monuments in the state who look after the protection of tourists,” said Christina Z Chongthu, Chairman and MD of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC).
On the implementation of the new orders to prevent selfie-deaths during the ensuing Krishna Pushkarams, Chongthu said, "At present, we don't have such mechanism for the Krishna Pushkarams or other festivals. But, we can look into their implementation during the Pushkarams as well."
However, with only 20 tourist policemen and 9 security guards, the numbers are too skewed to take care of the tourist inflows in the state. From 2014-16, Hyderabad and Warangal, the most sought-after tourist destinations of the state, saw over a crore tourists each visiting the two cities.
“We will be recruiting more tourist policemen and guides at tourist sites throughout the districts. At present there are 20 tourist police and 9 security guards apart from some guides who look after tourist safety at heritage sites such as Golconda Fort, Charminar, Qutb Shahi tombs of Hyderabad and Warangal fort and Thousand Pillar temples in Warangal,” said Om Prakash, assistant director, Telangana Tourism Department.
“Charminar, Qutb Shahi and Golconda fort are places where people like to click selfies from the heights, which may cause accidents. The tourist police ensures their protection,” he added. However, the tourist police has no power to issue challans to tourists taking selfies in danger zones. Also, barricading of danger zones will bring the tourist department in direct conflict with other departments.
“Waterfalls come under forest department and lakes under irrigation. How can the tourism department barricade them?” wondered Om Prakash. The social media campaign against selfie-craze at tourist sites are also to pick up.