August 17, 2011

Madhya Pradesh National Parks Jungle Safari Booking Open

Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh has opened the Jungle Safari Booking for upcoming season.

New updates for upcoming season is that Tala Safari Zone in Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha Safari Zone in Kanha National Park will be PREMIER SAFARI ZONES. It means visitors (Indian & Foreigners) have to pay more fee than safari in other safari zone of Kanha & Bandhavgarh respectively.

For Tala Zone safari of Bandhavgarh, entry ticket charges are increased by 100%.
OLD CHARGES:
Indians Ticket Fee= 1000INR. Per Safari
Foreigner Ticket Fee = 2000INR. Per Safari

NEW CHARGES (2011-12)
Indians Ticket Fee= 2000INR. Per Safari
Foreigner Ticket Fee = 4000INR. Per Safari
* Guide Fee & Vehicle Charge will be additional to it.
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For Kanha Zone safari of Kanha Park, entry ticket charges are increased by 50%.
OLD CHARGES:
Indians Ticket Fee= 1000INR. Per Safari
Foreigner Ticket Fee = 2000INR. Per Safari

NEW CHARGES (2011-12)
Indians Ticket Fee= 1500INR. Per Safari
Foreigner Ticket Fee = 3000INR. Per Safari
* Guide Fee & Vehicle Charge will be additional to it.

Entry ticket charges for other safari zone of Kanha & Bandhavgarh will remain same as were in last season (old charges stated above). But due to fuel price hike, vehicle charges are increased which will cause minor increment in safari charges for other safari zones of Kanha & Bandhavgarh.

As Jungle safari booking is now open, visitors can book safaris in advance for Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna National Parks. Till now, Forest Department has not made any change in maximum number of entry tickets to be sold for each entrance gate of above stated National Parks.

August 9, 2011

NARCO Test for Jhurjhura Tigress killing accused

In a positive move, Special Task Force (STF) has sought permission for NARCO test of Jhurjhura tigress jeep-hit case accused. On Tuesday, 09/Aug/2011, in a legal proceeding of this case, STF lawyer demanded NARCO test permission on all 4 accused in case from Chief Judicial Magistrate.

All four accused are from Forest Department names: Ranger Lalit Pandey, Ranger Jaynarayan Pandey, Guard K.K. Pandey & Maan Singh. This case came into light when famous Jhurjhura tigress found dead under mysterious circumstances inside National Park. During that time it caught all media attention due to which environment minister & state Chief minister took serious note of it and ordered for judicial probe. Forest department first tried to suppress the matter and tried to frame charge on tourist and created different stories. But foresnic report revealed the death cause as vehicle-hit in early morning hours when park remains closed for visitors which raised serious question on credibility of park authority claims. Several local safari-jeeps were detained & questioned to find scapegoat in case but at the last department's own vehicle was found involved in accident. Being tigress killed inside park in time when safari is not allowed, some NGO even claimed that forest department officials may have allowed special safari for high-profile guests by violating the rules. During that time, tigress was with 3 cubs and later after few months one cub was killed by other tiger. Here not only a tigress killed by a complete tiger family was destroyed. Local people know the fact & complete story but high profile nature of accused refrains them to come forward as their livelihood is linked with tourism in Bandhavgarh which is managed by department of accused.

Case is still going on and proceeding slowly. Let's hope some positive outcome in case.