Coimbatore: Tourists on Sunday welcomed the forest department's move to introduce safari in Sathyamanagalam Tiger Reserve (STR) as they enjoyed their close encounter with wildlife in the forest department's vehicle. They sighted elephants, deer and a few other animals during the safari through the reserve forest.
The department had last week introduced the eco-tourism project titled 'Vannapoorni' at Sathyamangalam, Bhavanisagar, TN Palayam, Thalamalai, Thalavai, Germalam and Hassanur forest divisions on a trial basis, offering wildlife safaris for the general public on weekends.
For the second week, forest safari was held in the STR on Saturday and Sunday. Many nature lovers and the general public booked the safari for Hassanur, Thalavadi and Germalam forest range.
Women, elderly and children travelled in two jeeps through the reserve forest at Hassanur. They were taken to the shola forest, check dams and leopard movement areas in the forest.
The tourists, meanwhile, requested the forest department to provide them enough protection from wild animals and also post a few doctors and staff-nurse to meet any emergency during the safari.
The fee is Rs 650/per person for travelling in a five-seater jeep and Rs 400 for travelling in a tempo traveller. Only 15 people are allowed per trip in a tempo traveller.
To visit Thalavadi and Thalamalai range, the fee is Rs 250 per person. Bookings will open on Thursday morning and close on Friday noon. The timings for the safari are 7.30am-10.30am and 3.30-6.30pm.
To book safari, people can contact 9600912528. The department would collect Rs 50 for using still camera and Rs 100 for handy cam.
The department had last week introduced the eco-tourism project titled 'Vannapoorni' at Sathyamangalam, Bhavanisagar, TN Palayam, Thalamalai, Thalavai, Germalam and Hassanur forest divisions on a trial basis, offering wildlife safaris for the general public on weekends.
For the second week, forest safari was held in the STR on Saturday and Sunday. Many nature lovers and the general public booked the safari for Hassanur, Thalavadi and Germalam forest range.
Women, elderly and children travelled in two jeeps through the reserve forest at Hassanur. They were taken to the shola forest, check dams and leopard movement areas in the forest.
The tourists, meanwhile, requested the forest department to provide them enough protection from wild animals and also post a few doctors and staff-nurse to meet any emergency during the safari.
The fee is Rs 650/per person for travelling in a five-seater jeep and Rs 400 for travelling in a tempo traveller. Only 15 people are allowed per trip in a tempo traveller.
To visit Thalavadi and Thalamalai range, the fee is Rs 250 per person. Bookings will open on Thursday morning and close on Friday noon. The timings for the safari are 7.30am-10.30am and 3.30-6.30pm.
To book safari, people can contact 9600912528. The department would collect Rs 50 for using still camera and Rs 100 for handy cam.
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