Safari in MP forests to start from today

After a long gap of over 85 days, tourists can now enjoy jungle safari once again from June 15 as the forest officials in Madhya Pradesh are all set to open jungle gates for tourists.

 

 

The authorities will open Kanha National Park, Pench Tiger Reserve and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for the visitors for a period between June 15 and 30. Online ticket booking facilities have also been resumed for

the visitors.

 

It is important to note that the forest officials have made it mandatory for all the visitors to follow social distancing and other measures to prevent spread of novel coronavirus. In addition, the forest officials and other employees will also have to follow the guidelines issued by the Government. Besides, there are certain restrictions on the number of visitors allowed to occupy safari vehicles.

 

Reopening of forest gates for the visitors appears to have sent a wave of excitement among the tour operators and hotels owners in places like Kanha and Pachmarhi who had suffered a lot during the lockdown. Some of the tour operators and hotels owners have been offering attractive tour packages with various new facilities.

One of the hotels in Pachmarhi is offering stay packages with revised safety and hygiene processes. “The hotel owners and tour operators are focusing on the health of the visitors and thus they are leaving no stone unturned to prevent the spread of coronavirus. I am sure the visitors can enjoy the beauty of the jungles in a much more protected environment,” said one of the tour operators on the condition of anonymity.

 

He said that the forest officials have created special sanitization spots for the vehicles and visitors at various places.

Similarly, all the tourists, employees, guides, vehicle drivers will have to put on face masks and sanitize their hands as per the set guidelines. Moreover, medical staff will be placed at the entry points to conduct thermal screening of the visitors. Entry for the children below 10 years of age and senior citizens (above 65 year) will not be allowed to enter the jungles.

 

The Jungle safari was closed on account of lockdown imposed because of the corona pandemic from March 20.