Post Pandemic Tiger Tourism An Imperative & Brutal Reality

NO Conservation in Isolation 

"If It Pays It Stays"

Well at some wildlife destinations in Africa as I was reading during the lockdown, the saying goes that if it pays it stays. In extremely poverty-stricken circumstances this holds to be true. Unfortunately, the activity does not appear to be egalitarian to many and yes to some in the bureaucracy as well. This view stands for India as well. 

After the hunting season which thankfully was banned in 1972...than tourism was seen as a recreation of elites. Not anymore, the local communities even those bereft take pride in their heritage or their heritance.  Those who get their bread from the park and tourism consider conservation as an essential tool for their survival. In absence of the reserve, their livelihood would have been nonexistent. We must understand the overall upliftment of a region benefits even those who are not direct participants in the conservation and recreational activities of PAs.      

Even if conservation was in place sans tourism a large community of dwellers with no employment in the department would have turned to wood logging and poaching. This number would have been enough to bring protection and preservation efforts to naught. So would have the empowerment of the locals. There would have been a big dent in local institutions and infrastructure which is somehow empowered due to the tourist arrivals and their activities. Also, a lot of community initiatives have come into the picture due to the tour operators and the hotel industry around the PAs.  

In spite of millions invested in saving our endangered ecosystems and species without the empowerment and participation of local communities, the Conservation Projects and Programs would have performed poorly. 

Another aspect that warrants attention is the revenue that parks generate from tourism, this supports many activities which enable the participation of locals especially the labor class the poorest working section of society. The revenue generated also mitigates the burden of the State Governments, otherwise, contingency funds would have been a major issue, especially those required for core conservation initiatives. We will also have to add income generation from inbound tourism overall which I believe would be substantial.  

Post Pandemic 

For the planners, not only the manufacturing sector but tourism as well has to be looked into in the post-pandemic period in India. Albeit manufacturing has been allowed in remote and rural confines this is not the case with wildlife tourism. Most of our PAs are situated in remote confines. I hope this activity is seen as an imperative by the Government else the industry will have to collectively press upon it.  

In the opening season (October) if the lockdown in a few states and major towns still prevails, organizing tourist activity in the tiger reserves would require new regulations in place but certainly possible. The major tiger reserves are dependent upon visitors from all over India, and equally impressive numbers from overseas. Hence interstate and International transportation has to be facilitated with new norms...as it will be. 

The post-Covid-19 period will not be without blemishes and bottlenecks as the pandemic is not going to go away as a seasonal intrusion as most people still believe. Even if the peak passes off, the pandemic might linger on as local eruptions from time to time or even as a periodic epidemic. So little do we know about this coronavirus?   In spite, we should be planning ahead in order to conduct tourism in our tiger reserves with a new paradigm in place.  

Extension of Activities

Thankfully the buffer zone has become center of activities and it is paying by organizing safaris. In future the buffer zone forest will experience greater protection and preservation efforts.

There is a possibility of organizing regulated tourism in areas where tourism is not permitted in our PAs at present - however minimal. We should look into this with an open mind. 

Many among us, unfortunately, consider tiger tourism as destructive in spite of it being in place for decades with no apparent harm. Until we change our perspective we will not be able to fully exploit the tourism potential of our PAs.

The lockdown has brought many safeguards and protective measures in place and the public has learned the etiquette to keep safe. Things will move on...

Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, environmental issues. 

He also provides SEO and Website Content in English.

Uday Teaches Internet Marketing Classes in his home town in Jabalpur in Summer.  

He can be contacted at: 

pateluday90@hotmail.com

Covid-19 : Why Close The Tiger Parks?

After the frightening and murdering pandemic, we have developed cold feet and long ultra-sensitive ears. In this predicament, we have forgotten that the economy cannot be halted for long irrespective. Yes irrespective of the damage this bugger is doing, things will have to move on - albeit a paradigm will have to set in which will make us and the wildlife less susceptible to the pandemic. And we have enough time! Well nearly!

I have read that some people are interested in the closure of the tiger reserve during this pandemic which seems to cross over a year or more.

I am writing here (as an amateur) to plead for tiger tourism in our reserves. The show must go on!

The news of tigers being affected by coronavirus should not create panic since the conditions are different and so is the country. In the USA there are five thousand big cats in custody many in a private capacity and not part of an institution, such is the nature of policies that the country abides with.   

At the most, we should learn how to save tigers from this deadly pandemic from that incidence in captivity. We do have disease diagnostics and treatment centers for wild animals in India. 

People who are advocating the closure of National Parks and WLS for tiger tourism are displaying a haphazard and frenzied assessment. There are some points to consider regarding why tourism should be continued in these wildlife havens in India. 

• Tourists by regulation have to maintain distance from wild animals, especially tigers during the excursion.     
• A large workforce that comprises the management - Rangers, beat guards, vets, officers, and sundry labor will not be stopped from entering the core zones. This aberration would certainly lead to poaching, wood logging, and frequent trespass within the core.  Hence nobody will be able to prevent nearness to these animals in the core. 
• Human intervention often required will again bring the vets and helpers in close contact with the wild animals.
• In the buffer zones there is no check on human activities, hence chances of big cats and other animals closing up on humans are maximum. Closing tourism in the park will not prevent these incursions.  
• Most important we have forgotten the economy of the guides, drivers, and local small businesses. The resorts may not find it feasible to pay the staff they will definitely be reduced to the bare minimum.
  
  This extensive lockdown and the time of reopening of the parks in October 2020 have given us a lot of time to get things in proper order. And our Governments have been very alert and sincere in tackling this malady that would certainly act against harsh economic measures.
  
  The detractors will anyway find out how the wheels of the economy churn in spite of the pandemic. It is simply impossible to halt economic activities for a long time. I am talking about people who survive on daily wages and those with little savings. They will have to gear up to work pandemic or no pandemic. Mind You!
  
  Another factor we have to consider is that people in India are less affected by the pandemic, I mean infected. Secondly, a distancing and preventing mechanism is taking place. And most important tests and diagnoses are in place or increasing substantially in the country. This is the biggest safeguard against the further spread of disease.
  
  I am sure International or inbound arrivals would not be allowed to enter India without confirmation of their status.  Those who are found positive whether in their country before going on board, or in India upon entering will not be allowed to enter the parks as well.
  
  Local staff, I believe the forest department would have already tested them. The staff pertaining to a local institution in shops and commerce will have to carry a green certificate having been tested in recent times. 
  
  Those who are aware of our ecosystems and understand wilderness know very well how strong the immunity is among wild animals. Tigers and megafauna have immunity far stronger than humans and certainly those surviving in the harsh conditions of the wild World.
  
  I am writing as an amateur naturalist...but we have the right thinkers amongst our wildlife managers and policymakers hence sagacity will prevail.
  
  We must carry on with the show next October Onward!   

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Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, and environmental issues. 

He also provides SEO and Website Content in English.

Uday Teaches Internet Marketing Classes in his hometown of Jabalpur in the Summer.  

He can be contacted at: 

pateluday90@hotmail.com

09755089323

Post Monsoon Safari Begins Today - 2017-2018

1st October 2017 

With heightened expectations, the post-monsoon safari begins today in Central Indian Tiger Reserves and perhaps elsewhere in India. The beginning seasons that is October and November are in stark contrast to the summer months. 

Tiger on Kill - Monu Dubey 

You come across lush green forests after being freshly inundated by months of torrential rains. The canopy is thick and the grass is taller, and greener. This is a good time for predators to hunt thanks to the almost impenetrable and dense forest cover and grass with plenty of game.      

Tiger Reserve Forest - Neeraj Vegad

For those on tiger safari especially the naturalists and guides it is a tough season. The green cover offers plenty for the predators to hide. Their movements are full of stealth with few traces on the ground and alarm cries as the only sources to track and locate the big cats - tigers and leopards. 

The surroundings create immense pressure and throw an open challenge to tracking skills. This is the time to be fully aware of animal movements pertaining to time. Reaching tigers is no guarantee of sighting them as they may remain hidden in the thick canopy. 

Courtyard House Kanha

Courtyard House Kanha - Mukul Yadav 

Last season we reached the tiger three times only to hear it roar. The last time we were terribly unlucky as one jeep was parked right on the pugdandee or jungle track from where the big cat was moving towards the road. Well...that's tiger safari!  

Wildlife Photography 

Grasslands - Neeraj Vegad

For nature photographers interested in capturing habitats along with the subjects this is a good time. While the visibility of herbivores remains the same, the bison prefers higher grounds of tabletop mountains most of which are out of bounds for tourists. Hence less chance of photographing gaur as it is called in Hindi the local lingo.  

While on safari carry some rain-wear albeit the jeeps are equipped with a top if it showers. Most of the rains have been exhausted but some may visit post monsoon...it is not a surprise.    

Jungle Roads - Neeraj Vegad

This is a good time for habitat shots as well with the Sun not shying away much. The verdant landscape offers some amazing panoramic delights. This equally good time to sun whence in your resort. But please do carry warm clothing unless you are fond of shivers...     

Other Options

At Kanha - Night Safari

Other safari options are day and night safari at Khatia Buffer. Sarhi and Khapa Buffer. Pl confirm with the HO at Mandla regarding the safaris in these three places outside the core zone.

A visit to Ajgar Hill is also a good option if you wish to see the constrictors. Be there between 10 to 12 am the drive is about thirty-five kilometers.

Penh Wildlife Sanctuary  (Micro Core Kanha)    

Directors Cabin

This is a pristine and strikingly beautiful sanctuary about three hours' drive from Kanha. Tiger sightings are practically nil, but it is a good to place to see the wild dog, sloth bears, and the leopard. Excursions are available for the day which is suggested. Phen is a very good place for birding as well.

No accommodation inside, but an MPTDC resort outside is available if open? Please inquire.

Take all the required eatables which you can consume inside the rest house. Carry all required cutlery and lots of drinking water.    

Phen Forests

Phen Landscape

Phen Grasslands

Regulations 

Some jungle roads may be closed due to slush not drying in time. Till the 15th of  October whole of Kanha Zone is out of bounds because of blocked, slippery roads caused by slush. This could be the case elsewhere as well. 

The core areas do not permit foot safaris to keep this in mind and do not leave the vehicles. Permits may be available but better book in advance, especially for weekends and holiday periods. 

 The parks close on the last day of June every year. 

          

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