By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 5 Feb: The Corbett Tiger Reserve administration has enforced a complete ban on the use of mobile phones during jungle safaris across all the tourism zones with effect from today, as part of stricter wildlife protection measures. The decision, implemented in compliance with recent directions of the Supreme Court, applies uniformly to tourists as well as park staff and is aimed at minimising human interference, ensuring the safety of wildlife and preserving the natural environment in its pristine form. The decision however has evoked mixed reactions and the tourists feel that the decision ignores the fact that most tourists only carry mobile phones instead of traditional cameras and the fact the visitors would like to keep memories of their visit through the photos for their lifetimes. Some also feel that the decision might negatively affect the interest of the tourists in the wildlife safaris as few people own cameras these days and use the mobile phones as cameras. They also question the practicality of such decisions.
Under the new regulations, smartphones are not permitted to be used in any manner during safaris within the tiger reserve. The administration has made it mandatory for all tourists to deposit their mobile phones at the entry gates before entering the forest area. Any violation of this rule will invite strict legal action, the authorities have warned. While the use of mobile phones is prohibited, tourists are permitted to carry professional cameras such as DSLRs or other still cameras for photographing wildlife and natural scenery, but photography or videography through mobile phones remains strictly banned.
Park Warden Amit Gwasakoti said that all the visitors going on day safaris would henceforth be required to surrender their mobile phones at the entry point itself. In the case of tourists opting for night stays inside the reserve, mobile phones will be kept in a designated storage box inside the Gypsy, which will remain under the supervision of the Gypsy driver and the nature guide throughout the safari. He clarified that mobile phones will be returned to such tourists only after they reach the forest rest house, and their use will be permitted strictly within the confines of the accommodation.
Gwasakoti further stated that if any tourist is found using a mobile phone outside the forest rest house premises, the device will be seized immediately and disciplinary action will also be initiated against the concerned nature guide and Gypsy driver. The ban is equally applicable to nature guides and Gypsy drivers, who are also prohibited from using mobile phones during safaris under the new mandate.
The Corbett administration has maintained that the decision has been taken in the interest of both the wildlife conservation and the tourist safety, and is in line with the Supreme Court’s emphasis on reducing disturbances within protected forest areas. Visitors have been urged to strictly adhere to the new rules and cooperate with park authorities so that conservation efforts can be strengthened and the ecological balance of the reserve effectively maintained.
