PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
Forest department has introduced a ban on carrying mobile phones inside Phato and Hathi Dagar safari zones under the Corbett landscape on Wednesday, a day before they reopen for tourists. Under the new arrangement, visitors will have to deposit their mobile phones in designated secure boxes at the entry gates before entering the forest areas. The move has been taken citing wildlife protection and visitor management.
Speaking of the new move, the divisional forest officer (DFO), Tarai West Forest Division, Puneet Tomar said that mobile phone use has been prohibited during tourism activities in the Corbett Tiger Reserve in accordance with Supreme Court directions. “The restriction have now been extended to the Phato and Hathi Dagar zones under the Tarai West Forest Division,” he added.
The sub-divisional officer, (SDO), Sandeep Giri said that 50 gypsies would be allowed in Phato during the morning and another 50 in the evening. “In Hathi Dagar, 25 gypsies each will operate during the morning and evening shifts,” he said.
Night-stay facilities for tourists at the Phato zone are also commencing from October 1. Officials said that the facility would allow visitors to experience the forest landscape during both daytime safaris and overnight stays.
The tourists will, however, be allowed to carry professional cameras inside the zones. Clarifying this, the Forest officers said that despite the mobile phone use restrictions, professional photography will continue to be permitted.
