CarrieT

It looks like my 2013 trip might be cancelled:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...F6W_story.html

Anyone have any insight into this development? I'm sorry I didn't get to see them sooner....just an example of why you shouldn't wait to go to those places that you really want to go to. I'm sure my tour operator will not refund my deposit. Bummer.

vp_singh

The details are yet to trickle in. It seems that the smaller parks will be hard hit. I can not say of the bigger like Kanha or Corbett. From what I gather from the newspapers, the forest department has been given some time to demarcate areas that are considered 'Core'. Tourists will not be allowed in those areas.
I have been regular at the Corbett since younger days. Even then (20 years back) there were areas demarcated as 'Core' where no one except the forester could go. Dhikala did not fall in this specific area, though it is considered 'core'. We need to closely watch the situation. The next hearing is on 22 August, I am told.

kmkrnn

This was in the Boston papers today. It said the Indian goverment is "considering" how to deal with the problem, and until a decision is made, the hotels and parks invoved will be steeply fined for letting visitors in. I am sure they are not makeing any speedy decision. Hope not too many of you have to change plans, but I think I would be looking at plan B.

CarrieT

I'll be anxiously awaiting their decision on August 22nd! My entire trip was visiting the tiger parks - with the exception of a couple days in New Delhi and a day at the Taj Mahal. In other words, my "plan B" would be not to go at all because there are other areas of the world I'd like to visit for wildlife photography opportunities.

I am very glad that India is trying to protect the tigers and I hope that their decisions really do lead to that outcome - no matter what the outcome is for my trip.

atravelynn

This was discussed a year or two ago but did not materialize. A key point will be how "core" is defined. There could be a ban on visitation in "core" areas and even expanded "core" areas and your trip would still work fine.

Wondering if this is a topic on India Mike forum in the travel or nature travel section.

At least for you, CarrieT, the decision will be made in plenty of time.

CarrieT

This all happened quickly and my agency didn't even know it was happening. I am hoping the court has time to hear from everyone before their decision on the 22nd. I don't think any of the parks have anything about this on their sites yet - they might if the court rules to uphold the ban.

According to everything I've read, it's a total ban on all tourism in the parks (the parks themselves are considered the "core area")- who knows what will happen after the 22nd, but that will be the decision maker for me. Yes, most of the parks are closed now so the ban won't mean anything until a few months from now.

For me, I guess I will need a very good definition of what "core" is and 1) if any drives will be allowed at all in the parks and, if yes, 2) if tigers can be seen at all outside the "core" areas. I'm pretty sure the if the court upholds the ban, it will not be good for my trip and I will most likely need to cancel. I don't think I've ever felt so discouraged. I was so looking forward to this trip, but again - I understand the desire to protect the tigers and I do hope that goal can be met no matter what happens with the tourism part of this debate.

jackdonoghue45

CarrieT,

Thanks for the info. We are planning on going on Overseas Adventure Travels, Heart of India tour in February and Rathambore is a part of the itinerary. We will know to keep watch now.

Jack

jackdonoghue45

The Tiger tourism ban was lifted in October 2012. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...-tiger-tourism

cokesmith

The ban was perhaps one of the dumbest things India has done in some time for its tiger parks. Thankfully smarter heads have prevailed and they've re-opened the reserves. Granted tourism has its impacts but un-monitored core areas have always had higher levels of poaching than the touristed areas. Tigers would be extinct in a couple years if the did not allow the tiger viewing, as flawed as it is...

CarrieT

Yes, it is my understanding that tourism has resumed. My tour company said that the number of permits has been limited but my guess is that anyone on a group tour will be fine because the company will purchase the permits far enough ahead. I'm not sure what other limitations have been implemented - I know there was some talk of restricting more of the core areas but I haven't heard the outcome of that. My trip is still on and I am still hopeful for my chances of seeing a tiger. But I agree - unfortunately, without tourism, I do agree that the tiger will be gone from this world very quickly.