JAIPUR: It is a promising season ahead for tourists to the Ranthambore national park and the Sariska sanctuary as the tiger reserves open up for tourists after a hiatus of three months from Friday. While two newborns await tourists at Ranthambore, Sariska has five tigers now for the first time since the cat population was wiped away from there.
According to R S Shekhawat, director of the national park, "It sure is a promising season for tourists. It is after a gap of two years that cubs have been bon here and they will fill the vacuum left by the relocation of two tigers from here to Sariska recently." As always all eye at Ranthambore would be scanning the Lady of the Lake or Machli. Now in her old age the tigress is one of the most popular cats at Ranthambore having been spotted by the maximum number of tourists. Despite her failing health there are many tourists who come to Ranthambore just to see her.
"For the first time we have had so many tourists coming to the national park so early. In fact the booking for October 2 is full and we have no capacity," Shekhawat added.
For the first time the park is giving the facility of current online booking.
"Those who come to the park can book their tickets for entry online on the same day. The booking will be on 24 hours. For the morning safari to the park visitors will have to book their tickets between 5 am to 5 pm while for the afternoon session booking will be on from 5 pm to 9 am," Shekhawat added.
Also for the first time the park has been divided into eight zones for safari rides. While five of these routes are within the national park two are at the Sawai Man Singh sanctuary and one at the Sawai Madhopur Park. For Sariska too the promises could not have been better. The gap after the relocation of three tigers to the reserve from Ranthambore ended a couple of months ago with the relocation of two more tigers taking the total to five. "Though it is difficult to say as to whether there will be a rush but with five tigers in the reserve we hope that more people come this time," said KK Garg, the field director of the reserve. Incidentally, the National Wildlife Week too begins from Friday and both the venues would hold numerous competitions.
"We would be hosting painting competitions, photography competitions and a host of other events in collaboration with the WWF and Stripes," said Shekhawat.
The WWF also plan to hold street plays in Ranthambore during the week to spread the message of a peaceful coexsistance between villagers, foresters and animals at the park.
No comments:
Post a Comment