Maharashtra forest dept frames SOP: New rules to check tourist ‘misbehaviour’ at tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries

Besides prohibition connected utilizing mobile phones, the tourists are besides enactment connected announcement to guarantee their behaviour to not origin immoderate disturbance to chaotic animals and the anticipation of a prohibition connected a peculiar tourer successful the peculiar wood country cannot beryllium ruled out.

Earlier this month, the wood section had told the seat that it had decided to prohibit the usage of mobile phones during jungle safaris astatine each tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries successful the authorities to trim crowding astir tiger-sighting spots.

A part seat of Justices Nitin W Sambre and Vrushali V Joshi has been proceeding the suo motu PIL, which was initiated aft taking cognisance of a study published successful Loksatta astir Gypsies driven by wood department-approved drivers and guided by trained guides blocking the mode of the tigress successful the Umrer-Paoni-Karhandla Tiger Reserve.

Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Director, Pench Tiger Reserve and besides moving arsenic Field Director of Bor Tiger Reserve successful his affidavit filed earlier the HC stated that the SOPs formulated person been finalised and would beryllium initially made applicable to wildlife sanctuaries including Bor, Pench, Umrer-Paoni and akin SOPs to modulate tourer movements successful the full authorities are successful process of being prepared.

“The wood section is so delicate to the request of these chaotic animals and tigers successful particular, for, if the tigers are protected, the eco strategy which revolves astir them besides stands protected. The SOPs are already implemented and steps successful accordance with the SOPs person been initiated,” the affidavit stated.

It said the safari guides person been asked to beryllium much vigilant and alert and guarantee strict subject and guarantee that tourists bash not behave successful immoderate unruly mode and animals should not consciousness perturbed due to the fact that of quality presence.

The tourists volition beryllium issued “stern” directives to not indulge successful immoderate behaviour successful “uncouth manner” and to “behave orderly” during the full ride. “The tourists are briefed truthful that they bash not bring upon undue unit either connected the wood usher oregon the gypsy operator to guarantee sighting of wildlife of their liking,” the affidavit added.

The department, portion putting a prohibition connected usage of mobile phones, has stated that usage of cameras, video signaling devices with anterior support volition beryllium allowed based connected the presumption specified by respective country authorities aft prescribed fees are paid for the same.

It besides said that vehicles indispensable not halt adjacent areas wherever a tigress is hiding oregon resting with her cubs.

The section besides stated that connected astir occasions tourists’ un-ending demands marque the concern “scary” for animals and arsenic to tourer vehicles arsenic the jeeps travel successful adjacent proximity to animals. Therefore, the section said the tourists’ acquisition and sensitization astir their behaviour during jungle safari is of value and the aforesaid shall beryllium undertaken.

The HC volition perceive plea adjacent connected February 3.