Nagpur: The statewide restrictions that came into force on Monday will be not impact wildlife tourism unless the respective district collectors come out with any special orders.
The park managers have put the ball in the court of district collectors who head the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) and implementing government orders during the pandemic.
Chandrapur district collector
Ajay Gulhane told TOI tourism in
Tadoba core and buffer zone will be as usual with Covid-19 protocols being followed.
Pench CCF and field director
Ravikiran Govekar said, “As there is no specific mention about wildlife parks, we are waiting for the Nagpur and Wardha district collectors to clarify the matter. Until then, tourism will be as usual in Pench and Bor tiger reserves, Umred-Karhandla, and Mansinghdeo wildlife sanctuaries.”
Similar views were expressed by M Ramanujam, conservator and field director of Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR). “Tourism will continue as usual as there is no clarity on wildlife tourism,” he said.
This is peak wildlife tourism season and closure of tourism would mean a huge loss to the tiger foundations as well as thousands directly and indirectly dependent for livelihood on tourism.
Tadoba conservator and field director Jitendra Ramgaonkar said since the start of tourism from October 1, 2021, Tadoba had been following the protocols and there have been no positive cases. Till the lockdown is in force till April 30, six persons of a family will be allowed in one safari vehicle. “If the tourists do not belong to a single family, four persons will be allowed, excluding guide and driver.”
In Tadoba, the timing of the morning safari will be from 7 am to 11 am and afternoon from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, when full lockdown has been announced, entry to only those tourists who have done advanced bookings and are staying in the resorts for the purpose of safari on these days will be allowed. There will be no spot booking or offline quota. There is no change in the rest of the conditions like the use of masks, social distancing, hand sanitization, etc.
However, even as tourism has been allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, resort owners said, “There have been several cancellations due to complete lockdown in the state and hence logistics and transport will be an issue.”