All three tiger reserves will remain open during monsoon
Good news for wildlife lovers, all three tigers reserves in Rajasthan will remain open for tourists during this monsoon.
A decision to this effect was taken at a standing committee meeting of State Board of Wildlife and Tiger Conservation Foundation recently.
It was decided that the three tiger reserves -- Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra -- will remain open for public from July to September on an experimental basis.
Following the meeting, additional principal chief conservator of forest GV Reddy has asked respective field directors to initiate appropriate steps to implement the order as per instructions issues by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
They are also directed to submit an action taken report.
In view of monsoon being breeding season for tigers, damage of roads and safety of tourists, the NTCA in August 2015 asked tiger parks to remain shut during the season, a forest official said on condition of anonymity. The NTCA, had also stated that field directors to take a decision on their own after looking into prevailing conditions, he said.
The official said Rajasthan receives less rainfall compared to Kerala, and is a dry state. “The decision take to open reserves are experimental and if any adverse effect is observed it will be stopped next year.”
Rajasthan receives less rainfall compared to Kerala, and is a dry state. The decision take to open reserves are experimental and if any adverse effect is observed it will be stopped next year
The decision was taken after considering various factors such as if tourism gets shut for three months, than locals will become unemployed, forests look beautiful during rains, people will get to know about insects and birds, he said.
He said Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was kept open during monsoon in 2016.
“Open reserve keeps a check on poaching as during tourism there is more control over park,” he said.
Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch, an NGO, said the decision would ensure effective vigilance and monitoring besides benefiting thousands of local people.
Tiger and leopard breed during all 12 months, so this cannot be reason cited by NTCA to keep a park closed, he said.
Dinesh Verma Durani, founder secretary of Sariska Tiger Foundation, said: “We welcome the initiative taken by the forest department. The move will help in strengthening of patrolling and vigilance.”