PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
The Forest department took stern actions against the driver of a safari Gypsy after it was found that the vehicle with tourists in had driven dangerously close to a tiger in the Phato Zone under the Terai West Forest Division adjoining the Corbett Tiger Reserve. T
The Forest department officers sat up in alarm after a video showing the closeness of the vehicle to the tiger had gone viral on the social media platforms, triggering concerns. The Forest officers said that things were so close that the big cat could have been run over due to the driver’s recklessness.
The driver was identified as Zuber, a resident of Ramnagar. He was permanently banned from operating in the Phato Zone. The registration of the concerned safari gypsy was cancelled too.
According to the Forest officials, the incident took place during the evening safari shift on June 11 when a tiger appeared on a forest track in the Phato Zone. “In an apparent attempt to give the tourists a closer view, the gypsy driver drove the vehicle fast towards the animal. This is an instance of sheer irresponsibility, which could have resulted in the tiger being run over,” said a senior forester.
Speaking of the matter, the divisional forest officer (DFO) of Terai West Forest Division, Prakash Chandra Arya said that an inquiry had been initiated immediately after the matter came to light. “The investigation confirmed the authenticity of the viral video. It is clear that had the tiger not moved away in time, a major accident could have occurred. Maintaining a safe distance from tigers and other wild animals during jungle safaris is mandatory. Violating wildlife safety norms not only endangers animals but also puts tourists’ lives at risk,” he noted.
