PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
Carrying mobile phones during jungle safaris in Corbett Tiger Reserve and the entire Corbett landscape has been completely prohibited from Thursday. Following strict guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, the Corbett administration has implemented this major decision.
With the order enforced, tourists will no longer be allowed to take photographs or make videos of wildlife using mobile phones during safaris in any of the tourism zones.
On the first day, the tourists deposited their mobile phones in lockers set up at all entry gates. The phones were returned to them after completion of their jungle safari. “In line with the Supreme Court order, the entire safari experience will now remain completely mobile-free,” said the CTR director, Saket Badola.
“Special boxes have been arranged at the Dhangarhi Gate for tourists staying overnight in the Dhikala zone. All mobile phones are being collected from the tourists before the safari starts and returned to them by the Dhikala office after the safari is completed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Terai Western Forest Division, P C Arya informed that tourists visiting the Phato zone for both day safaris and night stays would also be required to deposit their mobile phones during the safari. “However, tourists will be permitted to keep their mobile phones inside their allotted rooms,” he added.
In fact, in an attempt to capture photographs and make videos of tigers and other wildlife, tourists and gypsy drivers would often venture dangerously close to animals. This not just disturbed the natural peace of wildlife but, in some cases, led to aggressive behaviour that ended up in attacks on tourists. Considering the safety of both wildlife and visitors, the Supreme Court had issued directives to all tiger reserves across the country to stop this practice immediately. The same is being fully implemented in all zones under Corbett Tiger Reserve, the Forest officers said.
