Nagpur : Increasing incidents of indiscipline by tourists, Gypsy drivers and guides during jungle safari have compelled the management of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) put ban on carrying mobile phones inside the park.
N R Praveen, Field Director, TATR, Chandrapur, issued an order on Friday prohibiting use of mobile phones during jungle safari from December 1.
It may be mentioned here that a tigress had chased one Gypsy vehicle last week end in Agarzari buffer area of TATR, scaring tourists, including women, when she got disturbed either by provocating or by taking the vehicle close to her. In another incident occurred during same period, Gypsy drivers blocked the way of a tigress and her two cubs from both sides. The animals had to take a left turn to disappear in the jungle.
Praveen said in the order that it had been observed that the tourists, drivers and guides after sighting a tiger or leopard informed others on mobile. The other vehicles rush to that spot by breaking speed limit and corner the animal. This could prove deadly to the people inside, he pointed out.
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Moreover, the tourists, drivers and guides click photographs of the carnivores/herbivores and circulate them through social media, making everybody know the places of movement of the animals. This information could be misused by anti-social elements, he said adding that the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Delhi, had already prohibited taking photographs of the animals. It is also learnt that some tourists even go close to tigers for taking selfie, which is also dangerous.
Praveen, therefore, said that he issued the order prohibiting tourists, drivers and guides to carry mobiles inside the park. They are also expected to inform the higher officers if anybody found violating the rules. The administration will take suitable action against the persons, if found flouting the rules, warned Praveen.
Meanwhile, Pilibhat Tiger Reserve authorities have made it mandatory to tourists recently to sign an indemnity bond, declaring that they will be totally responsible for any untoward incident occurred during jungle safari. The authorities will not be held responsible for it. They put a restriction on tourist vehicle to maintain a speed of 25 km/hr.
