8 spots in Ooty declared ‘No Selfie’ zones

One of the first places was the Ooty Boat house where boards announcing ‘No Selfie’ zones were erected in English and Tamil and affixed to boats on Saturday. Tourists can click selfies at the boat house and around the lake but not while they are on the boat, as they could lose their balance and risk their lives and that of others in the boat. 

The other ‘No Selfie’ zones are Ooty Lake, Pykara Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Lamb’s Rock (Coonoor), Dolphin Nose, Valley View, Needle Point (Gudalur) and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. “Only dangerous places at these spots have been earmarked and caution boards have been erected there,” said P Shankar, District Collector and Chairman of the Tourist Advisory Committee. Admitting that there have not been too many fatal incidents due to tourists clicking selfies in The Nilgiris, he however said that on many occasions tourists were chased by wild animals at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. 

“Forest department is imposing a fine on the persons indulging in such acts, thereby disturbing the wildlife or risking their lives,” he added. Shankar said that The Nilgiris administration wanted to take the lead in implementing this safety measure ahead of other destinations in the State.