Have you ever experienced a journey to a wildlife park in India, and spent all the time in the resort? You do this when you go there without booking a permit.
Indian tiger parks or reserves are under the aegis of the
State Governments and NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) has a say in
the matter. NTCA is a Central Government body responsible for the project tiger
program. The dispensations and NTCA are doing a yeomen service to the big cats
and their number is steadily increasing year after year.
Tiger Tourism in
Indian Parks
There are more than 50 tiger
reserves in the country, they are protected areas notified to conserve the
tiger species, the ecosystems, and other life forms. Tourism is permissible in
twenty percent of the core area and is also organized in the buffer. The PAs
are divided into an inviolate core and the buffer comprises the outer area of
the park.
Booking A Safari
Permit
Tourism is highly organized and
regulated in tiger parks, and a permit is required for excursions. The permit
is issued by the State Governments, and the purpose is to regulate the safaris.
The vehicles used are registered jeeps and canters. There is an entry charge to
be paid during the permit booking while the guide charge and jeep hire have to
be paid during the visit. Most of the booking is done online but it can also be
done at the gates if available. The
entry permits cost anywhere from Rs.3000 per safari to Rs.5000 per safari. The
guide fee ranges from Rs.300 to Rs. 500 per trip. Jeep hire can cost up to Rs.
5000 per trip. The cost of excursions in the park is substantial hence you
should organize the tours well.
While booking a permit online you have to pay the entry fee and notify other passengers using their photo Ids. These ids have to be shown at the gate before entry. A maximum of six tourists are allowed on the jeep. In the case of a single-seat booking, the cost is shared by other tourists sharing the jeep. Mostly the jeeps are booked wholly by family and friends.
Booking Tips
The tourism area is divided into
zones and tourist vehicles are restricted to the zone mentioned in the permit.
While booking a tiger safari at
any reserve you should know which zone is the best. This is important since tiger spotting is
better in some zones in all tiger parks. Thus, booking through tour operators
is advantageous since the staff is familiar with the best zones. Locals know the destination much better than the
visitors hence you can consult the accommodation provider and tour operators
that specialize in wildlife.
Remember tiger safari permit booking is subject to entry limits in each wildlife park. Hence you should book
in advance since there is a cap on the entry of vehicles in each zone. Usually,
tickets are exhausted at the gates by the time you arrive there. Excursions in
the buffer are not that productive. Hence before you finalize the tiger safari
holiday, book the permits and then book other travel essentials. Check the weather, route and travel distance,
and food available and then book accommodation in the park. If you are keen on wildlife experience hire a
naturalist although most hotels and resorts provide the service for free.
In most of the tiger reserves pan
India tourism infrastructure is well appointed. You can find travel services
and accommodations as per your choice. The lodges range from budget to star
resorts with high-end facilities.
Find out more about the reserve
before you visit. Keep guidebooks with you if you are an animal lover or a
birder. These panoramic biodiversity parks are full of wild animals, reptiles,
and birds.
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