Sighting tigers in MP to cost more

NAGPUR: With holiday season approaching, those planning a vacation in tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh's tiger reserves will have to pay through their noses as gate fee has been doubled by the state government.

From October 16, the day when parks reopened for tourists, the entry fee to the most visited Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh tiger reserves and other MP parks have gone up.

Earlier, for a one-time entry, tourists had to pay 680. It included 500 towards entry fee; 150 for guide and 30 as booking (computer/Internet) charge. Visitors will now have to pay 1,230, which includes 1,000 towards gate fee; 200 for guide and 30 as booking fee. For foreigners, entry fee is 2,230, up from the earlier 1,230.

The elephant ride has also been increased from 100 to 200 per person.

This is the second biggest hike since 2008 when the gate fee was increased by 50%. Almost 70% visitors to Pench and Kanha are from Nagpur.

Tourists will have to pay extra for cameras and vehicles. Hiring a Gypsy costs 1,500 (morning) and 1,000 (evening) in these parks. In the increased fee structure, while the government stands to gain, guides will get a marginal rise of 50.

Chief wildlife warden of MP HS Pabla was not available for comment. Senior officials justified the hike saying, "It was not basically to generate revenue but to discourage tourists who have been flooding the tiger reserves putting huge pressure."

An MP (Pench) official added, "Last year the park generated a revenue of 1.3 crore, but this is meagre. The resort owners earn more than that in a short period. Most of the benefits are being reaped by them."

Last year, Pench saw 53,000 tourists including many foreigners. The number was three times more in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. After the parks have reopened, around 40-50 vehicles are visiting these parks daily.

On the carrying capacity in the new set up, Kanha officials said earlier it was 7+1 excluding guide. Now it will be 6+1+1 including guide and driver. In Pench, while the relaxation for five-year-old diesel vehicles still continues, in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, diesel vehicles have been completely banned.

In Kanha, tourists' entry has been made more stringent from this year. Now tourists entering from a particular gate will have to check out from the same gate. There are three gates viz. Sarhi, Mukki and Khatia from where tourists are allowed, but as there are no facilities at Sarhi, tourists don't prefer this gate.

An official said, the carrying capacity for Pench has been fixed at 65 vehicles per entry. It will include 50 vehicles from Turia, 10 from Karmazari and 5 from Satosha. In Kanha, it has been kept at 150 vehicles — 70 from Khatia, 50 from Mukki and 30 from Sarhi.

"We will strictly follow the carrying capacity norm. Entry of less number of vehicles from gates not popular will not be compensated from most-visited entry points," said an official.

He added that few vehicles enter Kanha from Sarhi gate but that will not mean allowing more vehicles from popular gates like Mukki and Khatia.

President of Guide Sangh in Kanha, R S Pandey, said that tourists had to return on Sunday as vehicles had gone up at Khatia gate. Sighting tigers in MP to cost more
Vijay Pinjarkar

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