Will wild-safaris promote eco tourism ?

Published in Dwarka Express on 23.4.23

A Jeep with tourists in North east was attacked by one horned Rhino and providentially no one was injured. My own impression about a jungle safari has suffered a change after participating in a Jeep Safari in Sariska. In my young age a lot of trekking was undertaken by me during nature camps in Western Ghats, crazily longing for a tiger darshan. But now, I wonder whether ecotourism is commercialized heavily. Hiring a jeep in Sariska at Rs 3500 for 2 hours made me think, ‘Are we really following norms when we enter into a tiger reserve?

Several thoughts brewed up after sitting in the safari jeep. My jeep was open and there is every possibility that a wild animal, leave alone a tiger, will attack. Why they are taking a risk? Are we taken for a ride by the agencies? Is eco-tourism commercialized? While questions were bubbling up, an abrupt question by the guide whether we want to go to Hanuman Mandir pulled me back to the current moment. The idea of Hanuman Mandir visit was negated by me, because in a Tiger land, I firmly believed that there could be none above a tiger. The Guide took us in a different route and we had no much disappointment as we could have plenty of wild animals like Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Crocodiles, Indian Hare, Jackals besides variety of avians. Yes, the thrill of riding in a dry deciduous scrub jungle is not a small experience though there was bleak chance of tiger sighting. Suddenly there was a commotion. Mobile phone information from similar Safari guides made several jeeps, rounding up a 10 KM area. I could see similar tourists in about a hundred jeeps on various sides of the encircled area curiously waiting for the tiger to come out from bushes. Nothing happened and everyone returned with disappointment.

Let’s appreciate one thing. No one is permitted in the core areas of a jungle. In more than 800 Sq kms of Sariska, only 20% is open for safari. Same is the situation in any forest. On interaction with the guide, I understood that we have a chance of sighting M-12 (a chest number allotted to each tiger). After my discussion with the guide and seeing that 100 jeeps surrounded an area giving false hope to tourists, I am of the opinion that sighting tiger naturally in the natural habitat is perhaps a kind of a concoction by the ecotourism operators to create a hype and lure more tourists. In one or two locations I saw a PET bottle or a Kurkure pocket. No guidelines or strict instructions were given by tourists to follow the ‘law of the jungle’. Perhaps, the phrase ‘Jungle law’ was rightly coined to indicate the boisterous dictates of an appallingly dominant political parties with brutal majority. Eventually, it is also applicable to such ‘callous tourists’ in forests who are least concerned about the rules

The National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines in 2012, amended from time to time prohibits tiger safaris in core and critical areas but permits Only in non-core, buffer areas to reduce pressure on wildlife. While a jackal or unpredictable Nilgai was seen just in 30 feet distance, I wonder why a spotted deer even doesn’t shy away human intrusion. Because it has become a routine for them. Even a lion in Gir is undisturbed by a human visitor. For them, its life as usual. Perhaps, they are as domesticated as that of caged animals. A Supreme court enabled CEC panel recommended withdrawing of approvals to allow the safari in fringe areas too. But will the forest conservation act 1980 recently amended, reconsider the decision is a question mark. So, until some good decisions taken in the lines of global best practices, in my opinion Safari is not just like wearing a Safari suit. A Safari if permitted has to bring a change in the mindset of visitors and organizers. It should not be a ecotourism business