The village of Kelif in Lebap velayat is located near two tourist attractions the Dinosaur Plateau and the holy place Kyrk gyz (Forty Girls).
Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that local residents who earn a living by selling souvenirs to tourists are requesting the administration of the Koitendag nature reserve, overseeing the area, to help them obtain official work permits as vendors.
Using available construction materials people have built a market where they sell food, groceries, hand-made souvenirs as well as medicinal herbs.
In addition, horse riding trips are offered to visitors. A 60 minute horse ride costs 20 manats and a donkey ride is sold at 10 manats.
The tourist season last about six months.During this time inhabitants of Kelif earn 30 to 40 manats a day ($0,75-1 at the current “black market” rate) on average.
They also need to pay bribes to police officers and officials from the tax and public health authorities.
A woman who acts as an intermediary between vendors and the authorities charges 15 manats a day for her services.
Local inhabitants who are fed up with money extortions and arbitrariness request that official work permits are issued to them.
We will be happy to work officially and pay taxes to the nature reserve’s foundation.Not only do we render services to tourists, but we clean up the area.
Everyone will benefit, including tourists and the authorities, – a local resident told the correspondent of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”.The post Vendors selling souvenirs at Dinosaur Plateau seek to obtain official work permits first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.