Karnataka: Your visit to tiger reserves will cost more from Nov 1

BENGALURU: FROM November 1 onwards, your visit to tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka will become costlier. The forest department has revised the tariffs for tourists, which will come into effect from November 1. Now, the entry fee per person will be Rs 250 for the tiger reserves, while for the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, it has been fixed at Rs 150 per person.

According to the department officials, the tariffs were not revised in the last two years despite wildlife office units requesting a hike. After considering proposals from various sanctuaries and parks, it was felt there was an urgent need to revise the tariffs for the protected areas. Entry fee for Bandipur, Kali, Bhadra, and BRT Reserves, Veeranahoshalli, Nanachi and Antarsanthe of Nagarhole National Park has been revised from Rs 200 to Rs 250 per person. For Kudremukha and Bannerghatta national parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Bhimgad, Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri, Someshwara and Talacauvery, the tariff has been hiked from Rs 100 to Rs 150. For smaller wildlife sanctuaries like Nugu, Kodachadri, Rannebennur, Rangayannadurga and Ramdevarabetta, the rate is still Rs 25 per person. The entry fee for Ranganathitu Bird Sanctuary will be Rs 70 while for boat rides, Rs 70 per person will be charged. For chartered boats, the ticket price has been fixed at Rs 1,500 per person.

Hike in safari ride, guide rates too

Safari and guide rates too have been increased in the state. Safari fee in department bus will now be charged at Rs 300 per person while the safari ride in department jeep will cost Rs 200/ person. For Veeranahosalli and Antarsanthe, the tariff will be Rs 500 per person. Safari in Jungle Lodges and Resort vehicles in Bandipur and Nagarhole will now cost Rs 1,100-2,750 per trip depending on the type of vehicle. Photography on boat rides will be Rs 1,500 per trip while the guide fees too has seen a steep hike with fee for safari being Rs 500 per hour and for trekking Rs 200 per person. The rents for rooms, cottages, tents and dormitories except for Ganjendra VIP rooms in Bandipur and Nagarhole now vary between Rs 200 and Rs 5,000 per head /day. Rs 300 will be charged for DSLR camera with lens, while for carrying a camera without lens, Rs 200 per unit will be taken.

Wildlife activists welcome move

Welcoming the hike in tourist tariffs for protected areas, wildlife activists say this will dissuade the hectic rush to tiger reserves especially during the festival and weekends. “The department should also check the number of vehicles entering the tourism zone and restrict the number of visitors per day. Without advance online booking, no vehicle should be allowed. Protected areas should not be considered as tourist spots,” said G Veeresh.