Efforts on to start night safari at Van Vihar National Park
| Date :21-Oct-2019 |
Staff Reporter :
After getting final nod from the Government on the proposal, Forest Department will make a detailed rule of the safari with charges and vehicle limits
IN AN effort to start night safari at Van Vihar National Park, a proposal has been sent to the Government with revised rules and entry guidelines for tourists. To introduce night safari in the park it will be mandatory to revise entry and exit guidelines for visitors. The Forest Department has started preparations for night safari on the recommendation of State Forest Minister Umang Singar. After getting final nod of the Government on proposal, Forest Department will make a detailed rule of the safari with charges and vehicle limits. Sources said that there is a proposal to charge minimum amount of Rs 100 per visitor for night safari in the beginning. Earlier, there was a proposal to start lion safari at Van Vihar but it was cancelled by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan when he returned from South Africa.
According to sources, the Government is making efforts to generate revenue from wildlife tourism in State. With this aim, discussion is being made to develop all tiger reserves, national parks and other wildlife sanctuaries to attract tourists. Concerned over special focus towards wildlife tourism, Minister Umang Singar proposed to start night safari at Van Vihar. However after checking success percentage of night safari at Van Vihar, decision will be taken about other national parks. Safari time and directions will be decided by the park management. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Deputy Director of Van Vihar Ashok Jain said, “Proposal is there but after getting final approval of the Government to revise rules and notifications we will start working on the project.”
He further said that the project will be taking time as detailed guidelines are yet to be drafted. According to sources, Van Vihar will be offering safari only at five kilometer distance on main road. Tourists will be taken close to enclosure of tigers in a special vehicle. As per conditions, safari area will be increased till other tiger enclosure situated at the top. However, these areas said to be safe and secure for big cats and they roam freely in the area so there will be strict guidelines to enter the area. There will be also tightened control of management before entering such areas. Different tiger reserves and national parks of the State still provide safari to tourists during evening hours but they come back to the camp maximum by 9 pm. There is a rule to keep national parks and sanctuaries open from sunrise to sunset.