Corbett to appoint 50 women as safari drivers
RUDRAPUR : For the first time in Corbett Tiger Reserve’s history, its administration is appointing 50 women gypsy drivers for conducting jungle safari.
“We have sent a group of 25 women, who aspire to become gypsy drivers for jungle safari in the park, to Dehradun on Monday under the first phase. They will be imparted 21-day driving training. Training expenses like fee, lodging and boarding will be borne by the Corbett administration,” said Rahul (who goes by his first name), director of the Corbett national park.
The park administration will appoint 50 women drivers for jungle safari.
Forty eight women across the state had applied to get registered as gypsy drivers, he said, adding they will be imparted driving training in institute of driving and traffic research in
Dehradun.
“Vacancy/registration for the women drivers had been published in the newspapers and 48 women applied for the posts. All applicants have been appointed for the post as the applications were less than posts. Most of them are residents of the park’s surrounding villages,” said Rahul.
At present, 330 gypsy and 18 nature guides, including 8 women, are registered in the park for jungle safari. After the driving training, these women will be provided gypsy under the Bir Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self Employment scheme.
Rahul said after driving training, these women drivers will be trained about the challenges they might face such as wildlife conflict during safari.
They will be trained about how to handle the situation under such circumstances, he added.