Foreign tourists refuse to vacate Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park is faced with a peculiar problem. A group of 'wild adventure' enthusiasts are camping inside the park and encroached upon the dugadda water source in the Chilla range, reports Krishan Kumar Upreti.

Rajaji National Park is faced with a peculiar problem. A group of 'wild adventure' enthusiasts are camping inside the park and encroached upon the dugadda water source in the Chilla range.

HT Image

The administration has been making repeated attempts at removing them from the wild over the past three days but has failed in its efforts.

The "unwanted guests" reportedly gathered at the spot through an adventure website and have left the park officials red faced.

More than 400 foreign nationals from 51 countries have been staying inside the reserve forest with their Indian friends.

What's surprising is the park administration got the information about the encroachment only three days ago.

"We have informed higher authorities about the situation. We are waiting for their response before taking further action," Shravan Kumar, Deputy Director, Rajaji National Park told HT on Friday. "We have repeatedly requested them (foreigners) to cooperate with the administration but they have refused."

They were also offered 20,000 square feet land in the Saptsarovar area, but this offer also was turned down.

Wildlife warden, Rajaji National Park, S.B. Lal said "As per their demands the administration has allotted 20,000 sq ft land at the Saptsarovar sector of the Kumbh Mela. We met their demand of providing sufficient land, but they want to stay inside the forest till April 13."

"We are planning to book them for violation of different provisions in the Forest Act. We have requested the mela administration to arrange sufficient police force for the operation. As soon as we get the force, we will move them out of the reserve forest."