After a long span of nine years, there is a reason to smile for the tourists coming for forest safari to Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve. Now they will be able to undertake elephant safari as well while doing jungle safari in jeeps. The responsibility of elephant safari has been shared by two female and one male elephant of the Park. At a nominal charge of Rs300, anyone would be able to undertake the elephant safari. The tourists enjoyed the elephant safari at the opening of the Park after monsoon closing on Tuesday though the effect of demonitisation on the tourism was palpable with the number of tourists dropping.
On account of the restrictions posed by the Wild life Act to use animals for safaris, the elephant safari had remained a distant dream for 9 long years. Though the tourists got to enjoy elephant rides earlier till the year 2007 but then it was banned by the government.
Now the tourists shall be able to watch the jungle from a high pedestal moving on the mud tracks – riding the elephant back. The Rajaji Park known for its Asian elephant abundance is all set to welcome the visitors. The park authorities have taken permission from the Central Government regarding the same.
Speaking to The Pioneer, wild life warden of Chilla range Ajay Sharma said, “Two female elephants Rangeeli and Radha and one male Raja will be used for safaris. The safari duration would be between one to one and half hour duration. In the Chilla range of the RTR, a muddy track has been laid for the elephant safari.” When asked about the number of tourists, Sharma admitted that there was a fall and only 5 to 6 jeeps were sent for gypsy safari in contrast to previous years when over ten jeeps were sent on the opening day.
Increase in revenue : This step would help the park authorities increase its revenue which had seen a massive drop after 2007 when elephant safari was stopped. Notably till the year 2007, 90 percent of foreign tourists used to do elephant safari. At that time, an amount of Rs750 was charged from every tourist which included 400 rupees rental for elephant. This time it has been made as 300 rupees per tourist. With this the revenue income of the Park is expected to increase.
Demonitisation effect on tourist footfall: The effect of demonetisation of currency was well marked on the tourists footfall with only 30 tourists coming at the opening of the RTR in comparison to 250 tourists that registered their entry last year. None amongst the visitors registered for the elephant safari said the Chilla range officer SC Ghildiyal. It is season time and tourists are the main source of revenue. locals who work as jeep drivers and have invested money on vehicles also are also affected.