Ban on coracle ride hits operators in Hogenakkal

“We are like traditional fisher folks. We have inherited this profession of operating coracle rides from our grandfathers. Our livelihood depends on the tourists who visit the Hogenakkal Falls. During floods, we are left without any alternative source of income to earn our living. Just like fishermen, the government should also compensate us when such suspensions are enforced on coracle rides,” said M Kempuraj, president of Anna Coracle Operators Welfare Association in Hogenakkal. 

For the first time, the ban was being continued for such a long period, he claimed, adding that they are still uncertain when the coracle rides will resume. He said they were allowed to operate through multiple routes during the floods in the previous years. 

Coracle rides were permitted only on a single route from Maamarathukadavu coracle jetty, when the water level stood at around 6,000 cusecs. However, the water level has crossed 20,000 cusecs now, forcing the operations to be completely shut down. 

Traditionally, coracles were operated on three routes depending on the water flow in Cauvery. “When the water level reached 25,000 cusecs, the coracle rides from ‘Maamarathukadavu’ were shifted to ‘Uthamalai’ coracle jetty. If it went up further, the operations were moved to ‘Kothikal’ backwaters, where it is safer to operate even if inflow surges to one lakh cusecs,” he said.

Trouble began when six members of a family from Chennai perished after their coracle capsized in Hogenakkal in August 2015. Since then, the coracle operations were permitted in a single route only and a slew of safety measures were imposed too. Thereafter, the coracle operators have been demanding the government to allow them to operate in other routes too. 

The suspension of coracle operations has hit as many as 414 operators in Hogenakkal, besides resulting in a revenue loss for the district administration. A single coracle is allowed to carry only four persons for Rs 750 per ride. Of this, the operator’s share is Rs 600 and the rest belongs to the government.

“Coracles would be operated on a turn basis to give opportunity to all. While a coracle operator earned around Rs 20,000 per month during the peak season, the government earns around Rs 1 lakh per day through ticket sales. During weekends and peak season days, the tourist arrivals would grow manifold to over 25,000. However, it remains a seasonal business and during other times we are left with nothing,” said A Shankar (37), a coracle operator. 

During busy days, the tourists had to wait for hours to take a ride as coracles are allowed into the water only in batches and due to shortage of life jackets. “There are just about 375 life jackets and that too have been damaged from wear and tear. They have become unfit for use. However, 500 new ones have arrived. Yet, there remains a shortage that limits the coracle rides in every batch,” Shankar said. 

While tourism in Hogenakkal largely depends on coracle operations, there are also other ancillary occupations providing livelihood to hundreds of people. Many families make a living by selling wares, massage services, and sell fresh fish. Women offer cooking services to tourists visiting the falls. 

Nearly 5,000 families from a dozen of settlements in Uthamalai, Ranipettai, Chatiram, Scout Camp, Indira Nagar Colony, Erikaadu, Naadar Street and Iyappan Kovil Street depend on the tourists visiting Hogenakkal Falls for their livelihood.