Fuel dry, Gypsy stranded inside Tadoba until midnight TNN

CHANDRAPUR: Even as RTO authorities have began crackdown upon illegally plying gypsies in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, gypsy operators continue to break norms. In an instance of serious violation of wildlife regulations, a gypsy operator kept some tourists inside TATR till late in the night as the fuel of the vehicle got exhausted on Thursday. Shockingly, no action was taken against the violator gypsy operator and driver.

One Rahul Gandhi from Mumbai had hired a gypsy for safari inside TATR for the afternoon session from Moharli gate. The driver took at least three tourists with a guide to the Ramshingh Amba area in Kolsa range of TATR where there is presence of a tigress with four cubs. However, vehicle stopped in dense jungle after its fuel ran out. The gypsy driver, instead of making alternative arrangement for safe exit of the tourists from the park within the stipulated exit timing, called the owner on mobile phone and asked to arrange for additional fuel. The vehicle owner reportedly arranged the petrol by 11 pm and the fuel was sent on motorbike to the vehicle. By the time the gypsy returned out of the park, it was midnight. The stipulated timing for safari during afternoon session is between 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm and movement of vehicles during night hours is strictly prohibited. Still, the gypsy operator overlooked the norms and did not gauge the fuel quantity in the vehicle before sending it inside the park. While the safety of tourists was put on the risk by keeping them in an open gypsy till midnight in tiger territory, it also disturbed the tranquility of the forest.

Gandhi, the tourist in question, confirmed that they were stranded in dense forest in Kolsa region till late in the night. "We were asked to remain in the gypsy for safety. We waited in dark till the fuel was brought to the vehicle for exit from the tiger reserve," said Gandhi, while talking to TOI. The TATR headquarters in Chandrapur was unaware of the incident even on Saturday. ACF, TATR, Ajay Pillariseth assured to look into the matter. He maintained that gypsy could face suspension for entry in TATR for such violation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Fuel-dry-Gypsy-stranded-inside-Tadoba-until-midnight/articleshow/8191400.cms