TATR abolishes zone system

CHANDRAPUR: In some good news for tourists of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the forest authorities have abolished the one-year-old zone system inside the park. Visitors are now free to roam in entire reserve. However TATR management has laid down some regulations to avoid congregation of tourists on one particular spot.

The zone system had come into the force early this year to regulate the traffic of tourists inside the tiger reserve. Likewise TATR was divided into three zones - Moharli, Tadoba and Kolsa - and the tourists were allowed to move in only one zone at a time. But, authorities have now come up with new plans under which zone restriction will be abolished but tourist movement will be regulated.

Confirming the abolishment of zone system field director and CF of TATR Vinay Sinha said, "The new regulation will come into force from Wednesday. Tourists will be allowed to move in the entire reserve, but they will have to follow some rules. There will be defined routes for every vehicle entering into the tiger reserve and one-way route pattern would be followed. Sinha said that the new plan is according to the NTCA guidelines.

Sources claimed that few other regulations such as restriction on use of mobile phones inside TATR, keeping a distance of at least 30 metres between two vehicles would be observed to ensure that place of tiger sighting is not crowded disturbing the tranquility of the wildlife.

Officials have also defined the carrying capacity in the tiger reserve. Only 60 vehicles would be allowed inside the tiger reserve during morning hours, while 57 vehicles would be allowed during evening shift. TATR management plans to decrease the number of entry gates gradually in coming months. At present tourists enter TATR through Moharli, Pangdi, Kolara, Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates, however three of these - Jhari, Khutwanda and Navegaon gates - will be closed in phases.

As per NTCA guidelines, park management needs to ensure maximum inviolate zones for the wildlife inside the tiger reserve. Authorities are chalking out two new tourists zones in buffer area. Once circuit routes and infrastructural development is accomplished in buffer, tourism would be gradually shifted to buffer zone.