PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
The Corbett National Park has changed its online booking procedure for the new tourism season. Tourists will now have to upload a copy of their photo identity proof on the park’s booking website along with their details. Only after this will they be able to book permits for day visits or overnight stays, while the foreign tourists will be required to upload their passports, the Corbett officials said.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the opening of the new tourism season in Corbett. The Bijrani zone will open for tourists on October 15, while overnight stays at the popular Dhikala zone and other tourism zones will begin from November 15. Foreign tourists have already started making online bookings, while Indian tourists will be able to book permits for overnight stays from October, informed the Corbett SDO Binder Pal. He further said that earlier tourists could make bookings by entering the number of their Aadhaar card or other identity proof on the booking website. “Under the new system, tourists will have to upload the details as well as a photograph of their Aadhaar card, driving licence or any other photo identity proof at the time of booking. Foreign tourists will have to upload their photo-bearing passports,” he added.
He further said that the new system is expected to reduce technical problems during the booking process and enable tourists to make bookings themselves without much difficulty. “After verification of the identity documents, tourists will be allowed to undertake jungle safaris, day visits and overnight stays in Corbett,” he said.
However, the Corbett Gypsy Welfare Association has vented opposition to the new system. In a memorandum submitted to the park warden meant for Corbett Tiger Reserve director Saket Badola, the association said that the new procedure would make it difficult for every tourist to complete the booking through a mobile phone. “Tourists may have to visit cyber cafes to make their bookings,” the association members said.
The association claimed that the complicated booking process could lead to a decline in tourist footfall and may also create an employment crisis for Corbett gypsy drivers and guides, whose livelihoods depend heavily on tourism.
