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Nagpur: Tadoba National Park in Chandrapur has caught the attention of environmentalists and nature lovers these days. They have been opposing the opening of the tiger reserve amd buffer zone for the tourism as it is being done in clear violation of forest guidelines.
As per the rules, the forest core areas and buffer zone has to be closed during 3 months of rainy season from July to September. While the wildlife including the crawling creatures like snakes and other reptile species has the breeding time during these three months, the tourists too face great deal of inconvenience due to muddy patches on the roads.
Allowing jungle safari during rainy season also harm the breeding cycle of wild animals while also endangering lives of the tourists. Despite the clear guidelines issued by NTC, the forest officers are allowing the tourists into the buffer zone at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in clear violation of forest laws.
Strangely, this act of forest officials has baffled the environment activists in the light of the fact that even tourists refrain from visiting Tadoba during rains. Environment activists have alleged that the decision to keep the reserve open have been deliberately taken to allow the relatives of political leaders who are in Nagpur to attend ongoing monsoon session of state legislature.
The decision has been taken in political pressure, alleged the activists. Following the heat faced by the politicos and their assistants arriving Tadoba, the forest officials were left with no option but to open the entry for them.
Sources said that in view of ongoing assembly session, the demand for Tadoba tourism has increased, thanks to the officers at Mumbai Secretariat and other political leaders.
Interestingly, the common tourists visiting the reserve are being made to fill declaration form stating that the concerned traveller is entering forest at his or her own risk.
Activists have questioned that when traveling in the the forest areas involve risk at present then why have the officers permitting the entry.
