MoT plans to limit tourists and hotels operating near reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

Tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries will soon become zones with restricted entry as the Indian government plans to impose stringent regulations on tourism activities in these areas. According to a report in DNA, concerned at the diminishing number of tigers and destruction of forest reserves due to increased commercial activities, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is planning to limit the number of tourists and hotels operating in and around reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This means tourists will need to queue up in advance for entry permits or pay more for a jeep.

India has 38 tiger reserves, 357 wildlife sanctuaries and 96 national parks. Roughly 700-1,000 tourists visit these every day. About 30 diesel-run jeeps and 15 canters also enter each reserve daily. Environmentalists believe increased tourism activities are affecting the ecological balance of these parks and reserves.

To regulate this, MoT plans to reduce the number of permits for parks and reserves by about 30-40 per cent. It is also contemplating a temporary ban of three-four years, on all tourism-related projects in these areas.