LUCKNOW: Tigers will soon have a peaceful existence in wildlife sanctuaries during the tourist season. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has constituted an eco-tourism committee to formulate tourism guidelines for tiger reserves. The idea is to protect tiger sanctuaries from any interference or disturbance by tourists.
Even at present, the state forest department follows some 'do-not-disturb-tiger' guidelines and strictly adhere to the advisories issued by the NTCA from time to time. The tourists are allowed to visit tiger reserves only in morning and evening shifts.
"We ensure that timings are followed besides telling tourists not to litter or play music inside the park," said an official in Dudhwa National Park. The park is open for tourists from November 15 to June 15. Tourists can only visit those parts of the park which are identified as tourist spots. Besides, blowing of horns is a strict 'no'.
The NTCA has issued advisories to the field directors of all tiger reserves in the past as well with respect to tourism in the area.
In August, the NTCA had issued a letter to all field directors which said: "The patrolling amps/chowkis/ watch towers inside a tiger reserve (core as well as buffer) should not be used for accommodating tourists or facilitating tourism."
The letter read further: "As these structures have been constructed under Project Tiger for the sole purpose of accommodating the front line field staff (at places with wireless), it needs to be ensured that they are solely used for patrolling/anti-poaching work."
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