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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 19 (EMN): Dzükou Valley is set to be reopened to visitors starting February 1, months after it was closed to contain the spread of Covid-19, but unlike in the past, it is now mandatory for visitors to produce their identity proof at entry points.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror on Tuesday, president of Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo), Zakieleto Tsükrü said that visitors should provide their identity proof as entry pass to Dzükou Valley will be given only to those who produce ID card at two entry points—Viswema and Jakhama.
‘This has been made mandatory because of the recent fire incident and to keep a record of individuals visiting the valley,’ he said.
Maximum of 50 persons would be allowed to enter the valley at a time, provided visitors book the entry ticket in advance from Sayo. It has also been made mandatory for visitors to carry their own trekking accessories and beddings, Tsükrü added.
All necessary standard operating protocols issued by the state Health department and state government pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic should be maintained in the valley, he said.
The president went on to add that trespassing and entering the valley through different routes other than the two entry points, is strictly prohibited. If individuals are caught trespassing, they would be sent to jail or imposed fine.
Earlier, Sayo said that it would assess the situation of the valley that was damaged due to the recent fire outbreak that lasted for 14 days (from December 29 to January 11). Volunteers from the organisation were reported to be continuing with their monitoring activities even after the fire had been doused completely at the valley.
Further, the president said that they would continue to maintain a plastic-free zone Dzükou by strictly checking them. He added that those who trespass the valley are 'usually the ones littering the valley'.