PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the Corbett Tiger Reserve administration said that the CTR would be a silence zone on December 31 when any noise emanating from resorts or hotels outside their premises would invite immediate checking and strict action. The silence zone will be enforced in a 500-metre radius around the park, the CTR officers said, adding that the initiative was meant to maintain wildlife tranquillity.
The administration also issued clear instructions that playing DJs in open areas would not be permitted after 10 PM. “Even if special permission is granted to any resort, DJs will be allowed only inside soundproof halls so that noise does not disturb the rest and natural activities of wildlife,” an officer informed.
An important meeting with resort and hotel owners had been held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of SDM, Pramod Kumar. During the meeting, the SDM had told the stakeholders to strictly comply with the rules. He had informed them that under the silence zone norms, noise levels must not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night.
The circle officer, Sumit Pandey had made it clear that if a DJ was found playing after 10 PM, strict action would be taken against the violators. “To ensure effective enforcement of the silence zone, joint patrols by the Forest department and the police would be carried out,” he said.
In addition, all resort and hotel operators have been directed to inspect and ensure the availability of fire safety equipment at their establishments to handle any emergency situations.
