It's bye to vehicles, hello to jumbos

Governments move to phase out private tour operators from protected forest areas

In a move that will go a long way in preventing the increasing pollution of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries due to eco-tourism, the State Government has decided to implement the M K Appaiah committee report, on movement of private tour operators in the protected areas, in toto. A Government Order has been issued in this regard.

The Government had appointed the committee early in the year 2008, to study and advise it on formulating a policy on movement of private operators taking tourists on safari rides, and the period and time duration of closing national parks and sanctuaries in a year. The Committee had submitted its report to the Government on August 2, 2008.
Accordingly, the operation of private operators in protected areas will be phased out in the next three years. “Instead, the use of elephants for wildlife rides should be taken up. If necessary, only vehicles of the State Forest department, which cause least pollution, should be used,” the Committee has recommended.

There are about 20 major private players operating in eco-tourism of the State. The State has five national parks, 21 wildlife sanctuaries and three reserve forests. Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks are the most preferred destinations for eco-tourists, in the State.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF-Wildlife) I B Srivatsava said elephants are already being used for safari rides in some national parks. “Now, steps will be taken to use more jumbos in all parks and sanctuaries. Using vehicles for safari rides disturbs wildlife, besides causing pollution. Moreover, due to noise that vehicles create during the ride, animals either go into hiding or flee. Tourists won’t be able to sight animals at all. The use of elephants not only prevents pollution, but gives great satisfaction to tourists,” Srivatsava explained.

Besides, in order to help breeding activities, the Forest department has decided to authorise the Chief Wildlife Wardens to close the protected area, if necessary, as recommended by the Committee.

Srivatsava said the Committee has held that closing down national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in a particular month of a year, would not help breeding activities. “Animals breed based on environmental conditions and other factors. So, the Committee has said that chief wildlife warden should be authorised to decide on closing the parks based on the local condition,” the official said.

In 2007, the then PCCF had closed down all national parks and sanctuaries for one month in July, to help animals breed. Environmentalists had opposed the move, saying that animals do not breed only in July, and that the decision would not serve any purpose.

Eco-friendly move


*Tour operators in national parks and sanctuaries to be phased out in three years
* Use of elephants for wildlife rides taken up
* Only vehicles of forest department, that cause least pollution, will be used
* Chief wildlife wardens authorised to decide on closing down parks and sanctuaries, to help breeding activities
* All vacancies in the protected areas will be filled