Bird watchers may have to shell out Rs 50 per ticket

Visitors may have to shell out extra to take a look at the winged visitors at the Sultanpur National Park. The forest department proposed to increase the price of ticket from Rs 5 to Rs 50 last month.

Visitors may have to shell out extra to take a look at the winged visitors at the Sultanpur National Park. The forest department proposed to increase the price of ticket from Rs 5 to Rs 50 last month.

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According to the proposal, the vehicle entry fee will also be hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 30.

"We made this proposal because we found that many people just come and roam around in the park. What is the value of Rs 5 these days? It is cheap and hence everyone enters the park," said KS Khatkar, district forest officer.

Moreover, many college students use the park to hangout, thereby disturbing the flora and fauna. "With so many colleges around Sultanpur, students pay Rs 5 and spend 2-3 hours in the park. They dirty the area by throwing plastic bags, food items etc," he added.

Every Monday, when the park remains closed to visitors it looks more populated with birds.

Another reason for increasing the entry fee is to create awareness among visitors.

"By paying more, visitors might value their trip to the park and respect the natural surroundings. It will help create awareness," said Suresh Bharadwaj, in-charge of the education interpretation centre.