On int’l biodiversity day, stateforest dept launches 2 safaris

Jaipur: On the International Day for Biodiversity, the state forest department launched two safaris in Udaipur and Jhunjhunu districts, enhancing Rajasthan's reputation as a wildlife destination for tourists.
While the focus of safari in Beed reserve in Jhunjhunu will be on blackbucks and chinkaras, the one launched in Jaisamand in Udaipur district will be a leopard safari, also the first outside Jaipur district.
The Beed reserve had successfully relocated 48 blackbucks and 12 chinkaras recently to the existing population. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Rajendra Kumar Hudda said, "Based on the carrying capacity, 14 vehicles (seven in each shift) will be deployed for the morning and evening safaris. They will be operational until the monsoon season."
The move was welcomed by wildlife activists as it would boost tourism revenue and also protect the grassland.
Dau Lal Bohra, a wildlife enthusiast, said, "In Rajasthan, Jhunjhunu district has the least area under forest cover. This initiative will be a milestone and the reserve can potentially serve as an antelope nursery in central Rajasthan. Additionally, it is located close to the National Capital Region (NCR) and has the potential to attract a large number of tourists."
The leopard safari in Jaisamand sanctuary was planned by the forest department's following the successful operations of Jhalana and Amagarh leopard reserves. The safari is expected to increase tourism in the area, provide an additional attraction for visitors exploring the Jaisamand lake, the second-largest manmade lake in India.
"The leopard safari will operate in two time slots of 6am to 9am and 4.30pm to 7.30pm in the evening. There will be two routes for safaris, one spanning 14km and the other 22km. Currently, there are three jeeps available. But as the number of tourists increases, additional vehicles will be deployed," a forest official said.