Bigger, better safari jeeps for Gir tourists now

RAJKOT: Sore backs and bottoms ruining your jungle tales? Don't worry. The rickety, uncomfortable rides will be passe and you can now recall your Gir safari in style. Old jeeps are being replaced with more comfortable jeeps having various seating capacities which the tourists can avail as per their requirements.
The existing fleet of jeeps can accommodate a maximum of six tourists per trip. The forest department is introducing two new jeeps that can take eight and four tourists, respectively, which began operations on Thursday. Three more such spacious vehicles will be part of the fleet soon.
Sanctuary superintendent Sasan Mohanram Legha told TOI, "We received feedback from the tourists requesting us to provide more comfortable vehicles. Therefore, we launched several new vehicles for tourists, but have also allowed them to choose old vehicles if they want."
Local people run the jeeps while the forest department provides them with customized design. The new vehicles are, however, completely modified versions of the existing fleet plying on the jungle tracks for years now. Tourists travel in jeeps for over two hours on bumpy terrains and so, the vehicles have been modified for their comfort, including reclining seats and ease of boarding and deboarding the vehicle. Seating arrangements have been so designed to give every tourist, whether seated in the front or back, the same view. Drinking water and mobile charging facilities, too, have been provided in the new vehicles, of which the manufacturing year should be 2022 or above and the engine standard should be BS6 and above.
With the implementation of the new scrap policy, old jeeps would be sent for scrap after they are of certain years and new six-seater jeeps would also be introduced.
However, comfort comes at a price and tourists will have to dig deeper to avail the new rides. The current rate of one jeep per slot is Rs 2,000, while the new six-seater jeep would charge Rs 3,500 for the same. The eight-seater jeep would charge Rs 4,500, while a four-seater would be Rs 2,500.
'New vehicles to replace old ones in safari'
The eight-seater jeep would charge Rs 4,500, while a four-seater would be Rs 2,500.The tourists will also have to pay Rs 800 for a permit to enter the jungle and Rs 400 for a guide. While the new jeeps are currently optional, these will replace the old jeeps with time.
In a regulated lion sighting arrangement, the forest department issues a maximum 150 permits in one day. During holidays and festivals, this limit is raised to 180. According to data, a total 5.6 lakh people availed of this service to visit Gir sanctuary in 2022.