Safaris in Tadoba buffer from July 1, core to remain shut

Nagpur: The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on Monday finally decided to allow tourism from July 1 through all its 13 entry gates in buffer zone. There will be no tourism in core area.
The decision was taken after a meeting of representatives of home stays, resort owners, Gypsy drivers and guides. TATR has a good tiger and wildlife habitat in the buffer and there are 13 gates in Dewada, Agarzari, Junona (Mohurli range), Mamla (Chandrapur), Pangdi, Zari, Doni (Kolsa range), Kolara, Sirkada, Madnapur and Alizanza (Kolara range), Navegaon and Ramdegi (Nimdhela) towards Khadsangi.
After the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on June 5 gave a go ahead to start tourism, PCCF (wildlife) granted permission to start tourism in buffer zones as it was not possible to start it in core areas at short notice.
TATR conservator of forest (CF) & field director NR Praveen said, “We will open all gates with available motorable roads at these 13 gates. The entry will be offline that means no advance booking. We will also provide opportunity to guides and drivers who operate in core area as they too faced unemployment due to lockdown for 3 months.”
The entry fee has been kept at Rs1,000 while Gypsy charge will be Rs2,200 and guide fee Rs350. From each gate 30-40km tourism routes are available. At least 12 vehicles (six each in two shifts) will be allowed from every gate.