Kailasagiri Hills reopens to visitors

Visakhapatnam: As the search operations conducted for six days to spot the leopard at Kailasgiri Hills yielded no result, the forest department authorities reopened Kailasagiri Hills and VUDA Health Arena on Thursday for visitors who were denied entry all these days as a safety measure.

According to sources, with this incident and thereby closure of Kailasagiri Hills to visitors, the revenue generated from gate fees got hit. It is learnt that VUDA have lost Rs 3 to Rs 4 lakh revenue in these days.

After the incident took place, five cameras with night vision and motion sensors were installed, along the path from Kailasagiri leading to Kambalakonda forest. Besides, two teams were also deployed at suspected places to identify the leopard movements.

The incident not only created a flutter in the city but also dampened the spirits of tourists as their entry was denied to Kailasagiri Hills. Moreover, morning and evening walkers, too, failed to do their regular exercise fearing the wild animal in the place.

Kailasagiri Hills witnesses the footfall of 1,500 to 1,600 every day in the morning. In the evening, around 2,000 persons would visit the scenic spot.