Three drivers, guides banned for chasing big cat in Ranthambore

JAIPUR: The forest administration at the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) banned the entry of three safari vehicle drivers and nature guides after they were found violating norms by disturbing the big cat.
The administration swung into action after the video went viral on social media.
An official said, the incident occurred in zone-3 during the morning safari on May 12. He said, “Drivers did not abide by the norms and chased the tiger which is a clear violation of rules,” he said.
The officials cited rules which stipulate that drivers should not drive after the animal and must maintain the requisite distance. The ban will continue till the next order.
“The primary investigation indicated a slew of violations, therefore, it was necessary to take a stern action to set a precedent,” added the official.
Though alleged irregularities from drivers and nature guides is a regular affair at Ranthambore, the department has taken a stringent action against the violators for the third time in history.
An official alleged that many drivers and nature guides guarantee tourists tiger sightings, which often leads to driving on forest roads that are not open or drive close. Strict action is required to maintain discipline.
Last year in March, the department banned 15 safari vehicles from entering Ranthambore National Park (RNP) after the drivers allegedly broke rules. The list of banned safari vehicles included eight gypsies and seven canters. The nature guide and drivers removed the stones from the path and entered inside the Khurjan area where entry was restricted. The accused also misbehaved with the forest guard.
Similarly in 2018, after India’s ace pistol shooter Heena Sidhu expressed disappointment with the guides and tourists of Ranthambore National Park, 26 safari vehicles were banned.
Recalling Sidhu’s tweet, a frequent visitor of RNP, Vijay Sharma said, “The shooter mentioned that her visit to Ranthambore left her disappointed after seeing the behaviour of the guides and tourists and their utter disrespect towards the jungle and animals. They shout and scream, tourists get off the jeeps merely 25 feet from the tiger while the guides are busy fighting. Though action was taken, nothing much has changed in Ranthambore till date.”