End of "Tiger Tourism" in India?
Apr 28th, 2010, 01:23 PM
#1
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End of "Tiger Tourism" in India?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...S&attr=6848608
Not clear whether this will actually happen, or is just ministerial talk.
Not clear whether this will actually happen, or is just ministerial talk.
Apr 28th, 2010, 01:35 PM
#2
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Thursday, this link didn't work but I found the article in The Times anyway.
Ranthambore was supposed to be one of the highlights of my Intrepid trip to Rajastan but in the end I opted out of it. When we were told the itinerary, it was a very rushed 'afternoon safari' on top of a very hot morning's travel. The group did not see any tigers and did not have time to appreciate anything else in the park. I would say Simon Barnes' article is spot on.
Ranthambore was supposed to be one of the highlights of my Intrepid trip to Rajastan but in the end I opted out of it. When we were told the itinerary, it was a very rushed 'afternoon safari' on top of a very hot morning's travel. The group did not see any tigers and did not have time to appreciate anything else in the park. I would say Simon Barnes' article is spot on.
Apr 28th, 2010, 01:54 PM
#3
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That's odd - it worked for me - but glad you found it anyway. From what I've read your chances of seeing tigers in India are pretty low, despite a recent thread from someone who got lucky. I didn't try last time, and wasn't thinking of trying this time, either.
Apr 28th, 2010, 03:42 PM
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Interesting, eh? Somehow, thursday, I suspect that not one damn thing will happen. Tigers come first in the newspapers - but $$ comes first behind closed doors. I wonder what the esteemed JP Singh has to say? I bet he knows.
Apr 28th, 2010, 10:57 PM
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Thanks, Dogster!
It seems the govt. Of India is seriously concerned about the dwindling number of tigers in the wild which some experts say are less than 800. The death knell is sounded by the commencement of the Chinese Year of the Tiger, on February 01, 2010. The demand for tiger parts will expand many folds & may galvanise the unseen international tiger poaching cartels to fatal intensity of destruction!!
The experts in India are divided into two groups – one group feels that tourism is in no way responsible for these dwindling numbers. They cite the example of Ranthambhore which has actually seen the numbers growing.
However, it is the other side which is gaining ascendency. The scientists, policy makers & field conservationists are of the view that tourism must be stopped for at least 10 years, in some of the highly vulnerable reserves. They cite the example of Kailash Sankhala, the Director WL, who promised Mrs. Indira Gandhi a turn-around & actually closed all sanctuaries to tourists & saw the revival of tigers to about 2500 in 1984.
It is now proposed:
a. Promulgation of an ordinance, place NTCA under the PMO & transfer all tiger reserves / contiguous sanctuaries / protected / notified areas in the country under it for a period of 10 years, together with their current assets & liabilities.
b. Offset the loss to state revenue by annual budgetary allocations.
c. Hold an annual tiger Revival Audit by an independent body of experts from within & outside of the country.
d. Close all tiger reserves to tourism for 10 years.
Etc. Etc.
It seems the govt. Of India is seriously concerned about the dwindling number of tigers in the wild which some experts say are less than 800. The death knell is sounded by the commencement of the Chinese Year of the Tiger, on February 01, 2010. The demand for tiger parts will expand many folds & may galvanise the unseen international tiger poaching cartels to fatal intensity of destruction!!
The experts in India are divided into two groups – one group feels that tourism is in no way responsible for these dwindling numbers. They cite the example of Ranthambhore which has actually seen the numbers growing.
However, it is the other side which is gaining ascendency. The scientists, policy makers & field conservationists are of the view that tourism must be stopped for at least 10 years, in some of the highly vulnerable reserves. They cite the example of Kailash Sankhala, the Director WL, who promised Mrs. Indira Gandhi a turn-around & actually closed all sanctuaries to tourists & saw the revival of tigers to about 2500 in 1984.
It is now proposed:
a. Promulgation of an ordinance, place NTCA under the PMO & transfer all tiger reserves / contiguous sanctuaries / protected / notified areas in the country under it for a period of 10 years, together with their current assets & liabilities.
b. Offset the loss to state revenue by annual budgetary allocations.
c. Hold an annual tiger Revival Audit by an independent body of experts from within & outside of the country.
d. Close all tiger reserves to tourism for 10 years.
Etc. Etc.
Apr 29th, 2010, 07:07 AM
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