Safari in tiger zone: Norms soon for elephant owners
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand forest department will soon frame a comprehensive guideline for elephant owners to provide safari rides to tourists in buffer areas of tiger reserves.
Due to lack of norms, Corbett Tiger Reserve that was allowing elephant safaris stopped the tourism activity in 2017 after a wild tusker attacked two elephants of the forest department.
The comprehensive guideline would be applicable in all protected forest areas in the state.
Earlier, resort and hotel owners in Ramnagar used to send their elephants in the buffer areas of Corbett for safaris without any norms, people close to the matter said.
Fearing safety, the 2017 order was issued banning movement of privately owned elephants inside buffer areas.
Understanding charm of elephant safari, forest officials proposed to chief minister TS Rawat during a recent meeting of State Board for Wildlife to resume the safari.
Rawat immediately directed the officers to prepare a policy in this regard.
DVS Khati, chief wildlife warden, said: “The policy will give clear directions to private elephant owners about the time and limitations. This is going to boost tourism.”
As per the proposed plan, each private elephant will be allowed to take three rides in morning and afternoon. All the owners will have to register their elephants with the department.
In addition, a due medical certificate of the animal will be submitted mentioning that it has been thoroughly vaccinated and is healthy. The management will be charging for the safari thereby, ensuring tourism and also a potential source of revenue.
“It’s a good move and will promote tourists to stay here for a longer period of time. Elephant safari could be one of the star attractions in tiger reserves,” said Hari Singh Mann, president hotel and resort association in Ramnagar.
Meanwhile, officers are also planning to bring more elephants from Karnataka to be used for safari. Earlier, 9 elephants were brought from Karnataka for patrolling and conservation activities.