The 625 sq km Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), the only tiger reserve in India to remain open even during the rainy season, may be closed for tourists during monsoon. In the past 35 years, this will be for the first time that the park will be closed for tourists.
Although a decision in this regard is expected to be taken by the chief wildlife warden SK Khetarpal in a day or two, the forest officials' perspective of closing the park is scientific and based on tiger conservation.
They feel that the park closure will help them divert attention from tourism activity to better management and protection. Khetarpal has already said that he favoured the closure of the park for a shorter period when there are heavy rains.
On the contrary, tour operators and stakeholders feel the park's closure will hamper protection and will mean vacation for the field staff which doesn't move even during the routine course. It shouldn't end up with nothing happening - tourism nor conservation and protection.
As there are many pros and cons, the debate rages. TOI's Vijay Pinjarkar presents the views of the stakeholders, officials and experts.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Should-TATR-be-shut-during-rains/articleshow/8918243.cms
No comments:
Post a Comment