Chennai: The once forbidden pristine forests of Sathyamangalam tiger reserve where forest brigand Veerappan was active will now be opened for the public to explore the thickets through the forest department organised ‘eco trips’. At present, private vehicles are allowed to visit the settlements and villages located inside the tiger reserve, but there are no government buses or jeeps operated inside the reserve.
The foresters who are eyeing revenue by exploring the restricted tiger habitat have also fixed rates for the travel trips through jeeps and 15 seater vehicles along two transact routes.
While the forest department is trying to explore the commercial aspect of Sathyamangalam competing with adjoining Mudumalai and Bandipur tiger reserves, the move has invited sharp criticism from the no-nonsense wildlife enthusiasts.
According to the forest department sources, the wildlife trips will be similar to the safaris operated by the foresters in adjoining south Indian tiger reserves. Two mobile numbers for advance registrations have also been announced by the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
Initially, the department had identified two transact routes – Ethukkatipetta – to the forest department watchtower and the second route will cover Mudhiyanoor – Jeerahalli. The five-seater ride will cost '650 per head and the 15 seater drive will cost '400 per head. The safari timings will be from 7.30 am to 10 am and will resume again from 3.30 pm to 6 pm, foresters attached to Sathyamangalam said.
“The forest department has started behaving like tourism department. There is a mad commercial competition between the South Indian tiger reserves on who is making the maximum safari and resort collections.
The state declares a reserve forest as a tiger reserve prohibiting public activities and then you introduce commercial activities violating the tiger reserve norms”, rued a senior forest ranger who wished not to be named. “Forests should be available only for those who know the value of it and it should be affordable for all with restrictions. Conservation does not need commercial activities and such organised trips will only pave way for corruption among foresters”, the ranger added.
Forest secretary Md Nasimuddin was not available for comments. According to informed sources, the state forest department is also planning to introduce similar commercial safaris in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
