Rajasthan Forest Minister Rajkumar plans night safari in Ranthambore

Jaipur: It may be good news for tourists but certainly not for the animals in Ranthambhore National Park. The government is contemplating round the clock access for tourists in the park. At present the park is open to tourists for six hours every day — three hours each in morning and evening — from October to June.

The forest department started working on this proposal following suggestion during wildlife board’s meeting in October last year. The proposal is now in final stages after receiving financial clearance.

According to this proposal tourist vehicle will be allowed in the park anytime after paying special fee, which is expected to be Rs 20,000 for half day and Rs 40,000 for the full day. Moreover, the tourist vehicle will be allowed to move into more than one zone. Under the current system, tourist vehicles are allowed in pre-specified zone only.

Forest Minister Rajkumar has confirmed that both these proposals are under consideration. “We are going to take a final decision soon about full day entry to the park considering there is too much tourist traffic. In fact, we are thinking of night safari outside the core area,” he said.

When asked about disturbance and adverse impact on the animals, the minister said, “There is no question of disturbance to wildlife. This has been going on in some countries. We are only trying to attack people with the nature,” he explained.

However, wildlife experts including some retired officials of forest department have criticised the move. Describing it against basic norms of tiger conservation they also dubbed this move against the Supreme Court guidelines. According to them tiger conservation must be the priority and tourism should come second.

Rajesh Gopal, former member secretary of NTCA, said that the move was “clearly a violation of what all state governments had promised to do in 2012, based on which the Supreme Court lifted the ban on tourism”.