The protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have not only hit the tourism industry but also the petty businessmen dependent on the picnic season from December- February.
Several picnic spots across the state have either witnessed zero visitors or the numbers have been extremely low.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Bogamati- one of the most sought after picnic spots in Baksa district- has also witnessed a low turn-out of picnickers this season.
“We usually have a large number of picnickers every year and the number goes up to as much as 10,000. However, this year, there has been a sharp decline in the numbers,” said Simangsa Basumatary to Northeast Now.
Basumatary, a member of the picnic management committee of Bogamati, further said, “Anti-CAA protests have led to the less number of people and till date around 4570 people have visited the place.”
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“Here, we have various kinds of attraction like rafting on the Bornadi river and zip-lining for the picnickers to enjoy,” Basumatary added.
“Besides, there is also a giant statue of Lord Buddha atop the hill. A Bathou temple, funded by Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimari, has also been constructed here and it is likely to be inaugurated on Sunday,” he added.
A vendor selling oranges said, “Picnickers often buy oranges in huge quantity. However, the business this season has been extremely low.”
Bogamati is located in the foothills of Indo-Bhutan hills at a distance of 30 km off Goreswar of Baksa and 93 km north of Guwahati.