Despite ban on jungle safari at Pench tiger reserve, several tourists visited the no-entry zone last week. They allegedly took the help of an NGO to arrange this forest trip.
Sources informed that a group of around 10 tourists entered Pench tiger reserve between October 1 and October 3. They stayed there for three days. An official register of forest department too revealed that all tourists entered Pench tiger reserve on October 1 at 6.30 am. They reached Pawani gate on a car (AP 25 R 8464), which was followed by two more cars (MH 31 CR 3300 and MH 31 DC 4069). They then travelled to Sillari.
In the evening around 4 pm they returned after jungle safari and after three hours of touring they left jungle at 7 pm, while as per rule no tourist can stay in the jungle after 6 pm.
According to sources 10 tourists entered Pench tiger reserve on those three cars however the register has entry of only person.
Some five rooms (Room nos. 203, 204, 205, 206 and 208) were booked on his name for three days at an MTDC hotel. Apart from it a room in forest department”s rest house was also booked on his name.
During three days they visited Ranidoh, Gawalighat, Hattitola, Bakhari, Fepdikund, Saidal Dam, Ambakhori, Ghatpendhari and Kolitmara.
They used three vehicles (MFH X 0018, MH 02 N 8569 and MZX 6314) for jungle safari. Sources claimed that the said office-bearer of NGO has close relations with forest officials.
It may be recalled here that tourists are not allowed at all forest reserves of Pench. The forest department has imposed a ban three months back to ensure security to tigers. Conservator of forest M S Reddy is the in-charge of Pench, Bor, Mansingh Deo, Tipeshwar and Karandla forest reserves.
CCTV cameras not operational.
Close circuit TV cameras were installed recently at the entry gates of Pench. The forest department took aid of a private company to install CCTV cameras. However, for the last two months all CCTV cameras are not operating, sources claimed.
Sources informed that a group of around 10 tourists entered Pench tiger reserve between October 1 and October 3. They stayed there
for 3 days. Thousands of devotees throng Deekshabhoomi to pay respect to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of golden jubillee of Dhamma Chakra Parvartan Day on Sunday.
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Fri18 Oct. 2024
