Ranthambhore National Park is an ideally located national park in India. Taj, Temples and Tigers are considered quintessential India experience. Ranthambhore provides the Tiger, while Taj and Temples are taken care of by Agra, Jaipur and Delhi.
Plenty of tourists plan their tours at the last moment. And with the huge demand for safari permits, these last-minute tourists were going disappointed. Hence to ensure that most of the last-minute tourists get to visit the park the Forest management has started the Tatkal scheme in Ranthambhore National Park.
T64 in Ranthambhore National Park
In this scheme, there is an additional quota of 20 Jeeps kept aside for the last minute bookings. Maximum 6 guests are allowed per Jeep. The permit cost under Tatkal scheme is Rs 10000 per Jeep, over and above the usual charges of Rs 4400 per Jeep. The total cost is high, but if one is willing to pay there is a guarantee for a safari. Simultaneously this is also expected to reduce the black marketing of the safari permits.
The tatkal scheme was implemented on 1st October. And the sale in the first 10 days has generated additional revenue of Rs 5.7 lakhs. The management plans to use this additional revenue for Tiger conservation. These are surely good signs from the revenue perspective for the park.
New changes in the Ranthambhore National Park tourism policies
The park management has also opened a new zone No 11 next to Keladevi sanctuary. This zone will accommodate the last minute bookings without adding any pressures on the existing zones.
To better manage the tourists near the entrance during the personal verification process they have segregated the tourists as per the zones. The entry and exit points of zone, 1, 4, and 5 have been realigned to facilitate tourists flow, and reduce waiting time at the gates.
Full day safari permits are also being issued. There are a couple of eco-shelter facilities being developed at Amli deh, Depura Bandha, and Balash chowki. The guests can wait at these spots before restarting the safari.
Half-day permits are also being issued and 5 additional Jeeps are kept aside for the same. The costs for the full day and half-day safaris is higher than the normal safaris. But for the devoted, and sincere lovers of nature who wish to be inside the park longer it is a good opportunity to avail if one can afford it.
Tiger in Ranthambhore National Park
A lot of people might say that this is an excess of tourism. Honestly speaking it is not. If well managed and regulated, tourism is a huge tool for conservation. How? Well, tourism increases awareness, and awareness increases a will to conserve. Besides, it also generates extra revenue. This additional revenue if used judicially for the benefit of the local community and the forest can be a wonderful thing for Ranthambhore.
I think this will be a great thing to practice for the rest of the national parks also. Regulate responsible tourism, generate additional revenue and conserve the community and the forests.
Best Wishes
– Sharad Vats
