Centre to introduce stricter guidelines for tourist entry into wildlife areas

New Delhi: Tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries will soon become zones with restricted entry as the government plans to impose stringent regulations on tourism activities in these areas.

Concerned at the diminishing number of tigers and destruction of forest reserves due to increased commercial activities, the tourism ministry is planning to limit the number of tourists and hotels operating in and around reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This means tourists would need to queue up in advance for entry permits or shell out more for a jeep.

India has 38 tiger reserves, 357 wildlife sanctuaries and 96 national parks. Roughly 700-1,000 tourists visit these every day. About 30 diesel-run jeeps and 15 canters also enter each reserve daily. Environmentalists believe increased tourism activities are affecting the ecological balance of these parks and reserves.

To regulate this, the tourism ministry plans to reduce the number of permits for parks and reserves by about 30-40%. It is also contemplating a temporary ban, of 3-4 years, on all tourism-related projects in these areas.

"National parks, hills, coastal areas and islands are eco-fragile zones. If we don't regulate activities there today, we will suffer later. So, we are planning to take stringent measures... Too many hotels and resorts block the corridors of animals," tourism secretary Sudip Banerjee said. Accordingly, the hotel classification guidelines are likely to be amended. All upcoming hotels near reserves on hills and in coastal areas, islands would now need an environmental clearance. There will be restrictions on change of land use, so that forest land or residential areas cannot be used for commercial purpose. Besides, the ministry will sensitise officials, tour operators, tourists and villagers on the importance of protecting environment.

Environmentalists call it a positive step but tour operators fear the regulation would hit jungle tourism. "We agree that animals get disturbed by regular tourism activities but such regulations would impact tourism. The costs are likely to go up for safaris and jungle stays if limited jeeps, canters or hotels are allowed," Ghananand Sharma, manager of India Wildlife Resort, said.

Tiger conservationist Belinda Wright hailed the move."There are very few parks where you can spot tigers. Tourism activities block the movement and corridors of animals," she said