CHANCHAL GOLA/ Ramnagar
During a safari in the Bijrani zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve, a nature guide’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour has sparked controversy after a tour operator had shared the incident on social media. The social media post said that the nature guide who was accompanying foreign tourists on a jeep safari had been seen chewing tobacco and carelessly throwing the wrapper inside the reserve forest area in flagrant violation of rules. This aside, he was purportedly heard appreciating the ‘delicious’ taste of venison-the meat from deer before the foreign guests.
The tour operator Ratan, who was present with the tourists, reported that the guide initially had slept inside the jeep when the tour was on. After waking up, he allegedly pulled out tobacco from his pocket, chewed and even offered it to the tourists. Later, he had thrown the wrapper inside the protected forest area, the allegation ran. Ratan claimed that when he had confronted the guide, the latter had reluctantly picked up the wrapper.
Ratan further mentioned that the guide had told the tourists that the meat from deer tasted delicious. Moreover, the guide allegedly had kept silent, not sharing any information about wildlife or its conservation throughout the safari, which he was professionally required to do.
Ratan’s post on Twitter quickly went viral, sparking outrage among wildlife lovers and tourists in India and abroad.
Taking a serious note of the matter, the director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Saket Badola said that immediate action had been taken with the accused being banned from operating inside the park. “The inquiry into the incident has been handed over to Bijrani SDO Amit Gwasakoti,” he added.
Meanwhile, the president of the nature guide association, Bunty Manral defended the guide, claiming that the person who had made the social media post had intentionally done it to defame him and his organisation. “If there was any issue, it should have been reported directly to the Corbett authorities instead of posting it on social media. This has damaged the reputation of the nature guides and hence, it should be investigated fairly,” he said.
