Activists criticise CM’s move to waive vehicle entry fee in Sariska

Jaipur: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot's decision to waive off the vehicle entry fee for pilgrims visiting Pandupole temple inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) has drawn criticism from environmentalists. The green activists argue that this move will cause immense disturbance in the 31km forest valley, which is home to around 10 tigers.
Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, a lawyer and an environmentalist, said, “The CM has opened a can of worms. Now, people from other parts will demand to waive off entry charges leading to the deterioration of the forest areas. To discourage vehicles at Garadia Mahadev in Kota, the forest department imposed fees and witnessed improved results.”
As traffic jams in the heartland of tigers have become a perennial problem, the forest administration at STR had also requested the Alwar district collector and chief wildlife warden to ban the entry of private vehicles inside the park several times.
An official source who refused to be quoted said that as per the last 2019-2020 record during the pandemic, 28,657 jeeps/cars, 557 buses, and 28,783 motorcycles entered the park to visit the temple. The number is increasing by 15% every year.”
The study of actual statistics revealed that on average, 650,000 tonnes of carbon emissions are generated annually in Sariska only by the vehicles of visitors, which is causing irreparable damage to the forest and wildlife. and adversely affecting the breeding of tigers. As a complete ban on vehicles is not a feasible option, Sunil Mehta, a member of the state wildlife board, has suggested the government to implement free electric vehicles at the earliest for the visitors.