Safari cancelled in zone 1-5 as rain damages track in Ranthambore

JAIPUR: After the incessant rainfall in October left the track damaged, the forest administration in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) has closed the safaris for tourists in 1 to 5 zones.
Tourists who had prior bookings were sent for safari in the outer zones 6 to 10 of the park. As per the reports, the road connecting park gate and Trinetra Ganesh Mandir was damaged, following which decision was taken to close the safaris in zone 1 to 5.
A forest staff said, “At the Mishdhara gate situated close to the entry point of the park, the track was washed away after water from the mountains in the forest gushed up in the region. This made it nearly impossible for forest and tourist vehicles to enter the reserve”.
Many tourists who reached Ranthambore after a wait of three months were left disappointed as their hopes of spotting tiger during safari were dashed when they were diverted in zone 6 to 10.
“As there was no option of getting refund, we were forced to go for a safari in zone 10. Due to rains, the possibilities of tiger sighting were bleak. The forest department should incorporate a provision to refund the tourists during such natural disaster situation. We would have cancelled our tour if there was an option of refund,” said Punar Drivedi, a tourist.
As per the authorities, they had reconstructed a part of the road after the rains. “The forest administration had already opened the track for tourists in October after repairing it but incessant rainfall damaged it, making tourists suffer. Now again, we have tried to repair important patches so that tourists can move ahead and spot tigers,” said a staff member.
Sawai Madhopur district recorded 825mm rain till 8am on Sunday. Of this, 69mm rain was recorded in Sawai Madhopur tehsil.