NAGPUR: Pench in Madhya Pradesh may have achieved the distinction of being the best tiger reserve in India but Kanha and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) turned out to be the most visited tiger reserves in central India.
Official figures reveal that in 2010-11, over 1,74,773 tourists, including 34,078 foreigners, visited Kanha. This was followed by 78,881 tourists to TATR and 65,449 including 5,421 foreigners to Pench (Madhya Pradesh).
Compared to 2009-10, MP Pench and Kanha saw an increase in number of tourists by 9,336 and 20,749 respectively but strangely, TATR saw a drop. This is despite the fact that both the parks in MP have high-end tourism.
Last year, 1,03,616 tourists had visited TATR but the number dropped by 24,735 this year. A K Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), wildlife, East Maharashtra, called it a good development.
"The drop has to be considered against the backdrop of strict implementation of norms. We stuck to the carrying capacity and there was proper enforcement. It should not be taken in a negative way," Saxena said.
TATR witnesses traditional visitors. It is frequented due to promised tiger sightings besides other animals that are sighted in abundance, Saxena added.
On the other hand, on the success of Kanha H S Pabla, principal chief conservator of forests (PPCF) for wildlife, Madhya Pradesh, said Kanha had essential infrastructure needed for tourists besides guaranteed tiger sightings. "We also score from word-of-mouth publicity by tour operators and tourists," he added.
One of the tour operators V P Singh said while Kanha was visited for its beauty, Tadoba for assured tiger sightings. "Kanha is a sal forest and is lush green all round the year. The park is well managed with good facilities for tourists. Besides, parks in MP have advantage of strong marketing strategies under 'Incredible India' campaign," Singh said.
Himanshu Bagde and Sandeep Gujar, frequent visitors to Kanha, feel it was because Kanha started tiger tourism early. It is now part of international tourism circuit. Besides, those wanting to sight a tiger at any cost are shown with the help of elephants.
"Yet, Tadoba is better choice as you sight tigers in their natural habitat," Gujar said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-tourism-surges-in-MP-drops-in-state/articleshow/9461306.cms
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