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NTCA wants Corbett night stay phased out, warden resists
Wildlife enthusiasts planning a night stay at Corbett Tiger Reserve have just over five years left to plant it
Wildlife enthusiasts planning a night stay at Corbett Tiger Reserve have just over five years left to plant it.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), India’s nodal body for protection and conservation of tigers, has asked the authorities at the reserve to submit a progress report on a 10-year plan that had suggested phasing out night stays by 2023.
Corbett is home to 240 tigers as per national estimation of 2015. It is believed to have the highest density of tigers in the world — two reasons why it remains a hot favourite among wildlife tourists.
The Corbett management had in 2013 submitted a plan with the Uttarakhand government and the NTCA detailing the plan to phase out night stay tourism in the core area of the reserve by 2023. The plan was submitted in accordance with guidelines issued by the central government and on directions of the Supreme Court.
Hearing a PIL filed by conservationist Ajay Dubey, the apex court had on Juy 24, 2012, banned tiger tourism in Corbett core area. The ban was later lifted after NTCA issued guidelines on regulated tourism in core areas.
The 2.2.9 clause of the guidelines states that “permanent tourist facilities located inside core/critical tiger habitat, which are being used for wildlife tourism should be phased out on a time frame decided by the LAC (local advisory board).”
Accommodation facility is available in eight forest rest houses (FRHs) in Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Durga Devi, Sona Nadi and Haldupado zones of the reserve. Barring the one FRH in Durga Devi zone, all the others fall in the core area. Dhikala is the most famous tourist zone, which also offers 12-bed dormitory.
“The management plan has promised to phase out the night stay. Day safaris have been increased to facilitate tourists,” said a forest officer familiar with the development.
In this accord, NTCA had written a letter to Corbett management in December 2017 and again in February this year seeking progress on ‘phasing out’ mechanism.
“Any structure offering tourism inside a tiger reserve is in serious violation of the Wildlife Protection Act as well as the Centre’s guidelines and SC order. Such tourism shall be immediately banned,” Dubey said.
The NTCA has allowed 20 per cent tourism in the reserves but only for day visits.
“The core/critical tiger habitats should remain inviolate of disturbance, but it needs planning and management. If tourism in core tiger habitat is allowed, it does not mean that buffer should have more footprint than it can sustain. There should be a mechanism to balance tourism and conservation,” said VB Mathur, director WII..
The reserve reported 2.96 lakh tourists last season (15 November 2016-2017) and prior to that 2.83 lakh tourists visited the park in 2015-16. The average revenue generated by the reserve is nearly ₹9 crore from day and night tourism.
The accommodation rates in the reserve ranges from ₹4,800 for one-night stay to ₹12,000 for 3 nights. The facility is not provided for more than three nights, as per a revision effected last year. The four-hour gypsy rides are available in four zones costing ₹2000-R 2200.
DVS Khati, chief wildlife warden said, “We will pursue this matter with Centre and if needed in court. Corbett is an international destination and we will curb tourism by phasing out night stays.”
