Ooyt: There are now calls for the cancellation of the summer festival and horticulture shows, including the flower show in Ooty this summer due to the unprecedented drought and water scarcity in this hill district.
The Coonoor Consumer Protection Association (CCPA) is the first public forum to express its displeasure over a summer festival in May when residents are concerned about drinking water. It wanted funds allocated for the festival to be diverted for drought and water management during the ensuing summer this year.
C. Manogaran, president of the CCPA, said that though the hills received some showers in the recent past, drought still impacts the hills. “Due to drought, farming is affected and this has crippled the economy of the hills. Water supply from the civic administration is meager,” he said.
“When tourists flock the hills for summer related horticulture shows like the vegetable show, flower show, fruit show and rose show and for other summer festival related shows, the water supply issue will aggravate,” he noted. The CCPA will write to the government on this, Mr. Manogaran added.
