The management of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) have permanently banned tourists who were involved in cornering a tigress and her five cubs while jungle safari at Gothangaon in Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS) recently. Tourists who were involved in this misdeed have been permanently banned from entering UPKWS, Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) and Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR). Dr Prabhunath Shukla, Deputy Director, PTR, in a press release stated that the offenders have been identified and permanently banned from future visit to the sanctuaries. The UPKWS management has suspended four Gypsy drivers and nature guides involved in the incident for three months. Also, the management has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on the Gypsy drivers and Rs 1,000 each on the nature guides for not warning the tourists.

 

The incident took place on December 31, 2024, at the Gothangaon Tourist Gate in the Kuhi (Wildlife) Range of the UPKWS. During the movement of tigress F2 and her five cubs, tourists violated the sanctuary’s rules by obstructing the tigress’ path with multiple safari vehicles. This act, involving nature guides, Gypsy drivers, and tourists, caused significant distress to the animals.

 

“The incident has underscored the need for stricter enforcement of eco-tourism rules to ensure the protection of wildlife and the ecological integrity of the sanctuary,” stated the press release. The PTR management also registered Preliminary Offence Report (POR) against all involved individuals under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. A committee, headed by the Deputy Director, Bor Tiger Reserve, Wardha, has been also constituted to recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future. To avoid such incidents in future, field officers and staff have been instructed to increase regular patrolling along safari routes. Special meetings and workshops are being organised for nature guides and Gypsy drivers to raise awareness and sensitivity toward eco-tourism and wildlife conservation.

 

 

To address the tourists’ misdeed during jungle safari in UPKWS recently, and to avoid crowding of safari vehicles on sighting tiger, the State Government has banned use of cellphones during jungle safari for tourists, nature guides and Gypsy drivers. State bans cellphones during jungle safari Contd from page 1 The restriction will take place in all tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra from January 7 onwards. All tourists, Gypsy drivers and nature guides must have to submit their mobile phones at the safari gates. The on-duty staff at safari gates will confirm the submission of mobile phones of every person who are entering the forest area for jungle safari. The nature guides should inform every tourist about Dos and Don’ts of jungle safari on the gate itself.