Nagpur: With complete lockdown in force on Saturdays and Sundays till April 30, 2021, barring Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) wildlife tourism will also remain closed on these two days, when most visitors flock to the parks.
The state government had announced restrictions owing to the spread of Covid-19 cases from April 5, but as there was no clarity on tourism, safaris continued as usual. However, owing to the complete lockdown, Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) has decided to close the parks on the two days. Tipeshwar sanctuary near Pandharkawda will also remain closed.
CCF & Pench field director Ravikiran Govekar said, “Umred-Karhandla and Mansinghdeo sanctuaries, Pench and Bor tiger reserves will remain closed. We will refund the money to tourists who had made advance bookings.”
Pench has also imposed restrictions on the number of tourists in a safari vehicle, reducing it from six to three. This will exclude the guide and driver. Those who have booked in advance and do not agree to this condition can also avail refund, said Govekar. The morning safari timings have also been changed from 6am to 10am earlier to 7am to 11am.
MP Pench, which witnesses most of the tourists from Nagpur, has also decided to close down from Friday evening to Monday 6am, following complete lockdown in Madhya Pradesh from April 8.
“Tourists will not be allowed inside the park’s core and buffer zone on Saturdays and Sundays. We have also advanced exit timing for tourists on Friday from 6pm to 5pm,” said CCF & field director Vikram Singh Parihar.
One of the stakeholders and office-bearer of Pench Jungle Lodges Federation Sandeep Singh said, “It’s a bad year for the wildlife tourism industry. It was somehow trying to gather from unexpected shocks but the second Covid-19 wave has crippled the sector.”
However, some stakeholders from Tadoba said, “Even as Tadoba has decided to keep tourism open, there has been a considerable drop in the number of tourists. There used to be no availability in tatkal booking on any given day, especially during summers, but bookings were available on Friday, and even on Saturday and Sunday. Many tourists from within and outside the state have cancelled bookings.”