Lalbagh takes steps to curb unauthorised guides

Lalbagh takes steps to curb unauthorised guides
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Tourists at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens are frequently being accosted by unauthorised tourist guides, especially on weekends.

It can be quite annoying to be approached every few metres by these bothersome men, who intrude asking: ``Sir, I can show you everything in Lalbagh. Only 50 rupees''. Lalbagh authorities have now decided to counter this menace with some measures of their own.

``It is not possible to keep these guides out altogether. They are locals from neighbouring Siddapura and enter the park before 9 a.m, when entry fee is not charged. Instead, we will provide all the information to tourists ourselves to help them get around on their own, thus eliminating the need for guides,'' horticulture director G.K. Vasanth Kumar said.

By March end, they will bring out booklets on Lalbagh, which will include a map of the gardens as well as details about the location and history of interesting spots like the Glass House. ``The booklets will be sold at the ticket counters at a nominal charge of around Rs. 5.'' Sample copies are ready and only final editing needs to be done, he added.

To make it easier for visitors to find their way about, the authorities will increase the number of direction boards within the garden. There will also be more boards displaying names of trees and plants.

In another measure to prevent unauthorised guides from taking over, Lalbagh will deploy its own men. For this, it is coordinating with the tourism development department. ``Currently, these locals are charging anywhere between Rs. 30 and Rs. 100. Foreign tourists are charged more. Our guides will be available at a nominal charge fixed beforehand. By next month, we will invite applications for the guides' posts''.

Lalbagh wants to implement all the measures before April. ``We get more visitors during summer vacations. By then, we want to make a visit to Lalbagh pleasurable.''