e-ticketing planned for Bannerghatta, Bandipur national parks

The e-ticketing service, which was launched at the Mysore Zoo on Monday, is expected to be extended to Bannerghatta and Bandipur National Parks next month, said principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and chief wildlife warden Deepak Sharma.

Mysore Zoo is the first in the country to provide this facility.

Speaking at the inauguration of e-ticketing system at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens here on Monday, Sharma said the new facility will make buying tickets to visit Bannerghatta and renting out guest houses at Bandipur easier.

He said an increasing number of tourists were heading for Bandipur and Nagarahole.

With the implementation of eco-tourism policy, private vehicles have been banned from conducting tours and only Jungle Lodges and forest department vehicles are used for safari.

One route has been fixed for every four vehicle, and use of mobile phones has been banned on the safari.

Elephant census

About the status of elephant census, he said the data has been provided to the Indian Institute of Science for analysis and the details would be available by the end of July.

Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) chairman M Nanjundswamy said a modern mini-bus has been introduced for tourists at Bannerghatta. Plans to introduce another mini-bus would be discussed at an administrative board meeting, he added.

Visitors can log on to the website www.mysorezoo.info and book tickets, battery operated vehicles for tours inside, pay for usage of still and video cameras, book luggage racks and also pay for parking vehicles.

 e-Tickets will be valid for seven days from the date of purchase for the convenience of planning visits.