The safari, publicized on Mahindra Adventure’s webpage, illegally entered the tiger park on Independence Day; auto major says it was a “third party” activity. 19 SUVs were seized for entering the prohibited area of Ranthambore National Park
An adventure safari planned around Independence Day inside the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan went wrong when forest officials seized 14 participating vehicles for illegal entry. The safari had been, since August 2, publicized on Mahindra Adventure’s webpage, as the ‘Monsoon Escape’s scheduled from August 15 to 18 from Delhi to Ranthambore, including Bundi and Abhaneri. The fee for two participants was Rs 49,999, excluding GST. The event was organized, as per the advertisement, by Thar Motorsport.
Illegal Safari Poses Threat to Wildlife and Tourists
Forest officials said there was no official intimation or permission taken for the safari, and given the strict rules against entry of private vehicles inside the tiger reserve, any such activity could not have been permitted even if booking amounts had been paid. Ranthambore, one of northern India’s most popular tiger reserves, allows in only duty registered Gypsies and Canters for conducting safaris.
Officials said entry into zones 1 to 5 of the reserve most common for tiger safarists is prohibited during the monsoon for three months while being allowed in zone 6 to 10. However, due to heavy rains and the recent death of three people from drowning at the entry of the park, all tourism activity had been prohibited from August 13 to 19, including in zones 6 to 10. Zone 8 of the national park had allegedly been intruded upon on August, 15th by 14 Mahindra vehicles that included XUVs, Scorpios, and Thar.
The revelation was made through a video clip circulating on Social media where the cars are said to have been parked inside the restricted area with some occupants including one lady with a dog seen walking around. Generally speaking, it is not allowed for visitors to alight from their vehicles when they are inside the park except at specific locations that provide toilet facilities and other services necessary for human beings. Similarly, domesticated animals cannot gain access to this sanctuary.
This movement of tigers and leopards creates exposure to wild animal attacks. In zone 8 there have been occasions where 4 tigers were sighted. Out of these two dominant males moved across the place where cars could be observed as being parked in that video clip. In Ranthambore, tigers often charge towards tourist vehicles. A senior forest officer said a dozen of the seized vehicles were released after the imposition of a total fine of Rs 1 lakh and that the participants of the safari had probably not been briefed by the organizers about the illegality of their entry.
Mahindra to Investigate Illegal Safari Incident
Auto major Mahindra in a statement said the activity was a third-party affair, “We understand that in connection with an adventure event, there was an incident of some vehicles entering Tiger Zone 8 of Ranthambore. We would like to clarify that he said the event was organized by a third party who uses Mahindra vehicles for the activity. As a responsible OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), we will investigate the matter to find out any violation on the part of the organizer of the event.
We strongly condemn any act of violation and fully support the administration investigating the incident.”Forest department insiders said illegal safaris had been held in the tiger reserve in the past even when it was officially closed to tourists. They alleged the role of local NGOs and organizations.
Three Forest Officials Suspended Over Illegal Safari
In the current case, forest officials have booked Mukesh Siit, who reportedly runs the Sawai Madhopur-based path, Lok Seva Samiti, for allegedly facilitating the entry of vehicles. Two junior forest officials have also been suspended and a middle-ranked official has been put on ‘awaiting posting orders’. Suspension and a middle-ranked official put on ‘awaiting posting orders’.
A senior official said some so-called wildlife experts and NGOs have been extracting facilities from forest officials. A major benefit they offer is to get safari vehicles out of turn, which are then used to get tourists entry into the wildlife park at a hefty premium.
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