Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), a successful model for tiger conservation, is facing a new problem in the shape of tourists. Camera-toting holidaymakers are shelling out big bucks to local tourist guides to go deep into the core area of the national park for “exclusive” pictures of the big cat.

Wildlife officials posted at the resort say guides ferry tourists in Gypsies deep into the reserve in order to spot a tiger. Once the animal is sighted, these shutter-happy tourists surround it to get close-up shots.

Jaipur: To promote Jhalana Forests as an eco-tourism park, the forest department has proposed a 30km safari route.

“There is a proposal for eco-tourism at Jhalana that would encompass trekking, overnight camping, bird watching and nature camps for tourists as well as students. It is estimated to cost Rs158 lakh. The 30-km safari route, likely to cost Rs 20 lakh, would pass through Neem Gatta, Sikarodhi, Watch Tower, Chitalbada, Lalakund, Kali Mata Temple, shooting range and finally to Jhalana Park-II.

Beginning Wednesday the South Division of the Nilgiris Forest Department will operate special package tours to promote eco tourism in some of the scenic spots under its control.

Even while fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court, the Gujarat Government, with the support of the Centre, is currently engaged in developing a second “interpretation zone” to enable the visitors to see Asiatic Lions in the wild at its only abode in the Gir sanctuary in the Saurashtra region.

A forest department official said the second “interpretation zone”, a fenced area within the sanctuary, was being developed near Ambardi village in Amreli district on the way to the tourist destination of Diu.

New Gir interpretation Zone In Amreli District Likely To Be Open For Visitors By Diwali

Ahmedabad: If you have plans to visit Diu at the end of this year, you will able to spend some time with the King of the Jungle on the way at Ambardi in Amreli. The Gujarat forest department is ready with the Ambardi Interpretation Zone. Officials of the department said that the interpretation zone is ready and will be opened for tourists around Diwali this year.

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat may be losing some Asiatic lions - its main tourist attraction - to the neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, but it will soon have leopards to attract more visitors to Sasan Gir.

The state government has decided to establish Gujarat's first leopard park in the Gir lion sanctuary for better conservation of wildcat species.
A senior official associated with the new project said, "Gir is known for lions but the leopard is also one of the major wild species in the area that is less visible. For better conservation of the leopard population of Gir, we have decided to establish an exclusive leopard park in the sanctuary where the tourists can easily see the leopards in their natural habitat."

Two public interest litigation petitions have been filed in the Madras High Court Bench here — one challenging a notification issued by the Centre on October 15, laying down guidelines for tourism

Jaipur Zoo May Also Become Part Of Nahargarh Park

Jaipur: The Nahargarh hills in the city may soon become a destination for wildlife lovers coming to Jaipur if a proposal to start tiger safari in the sanctuary area is approved. The idea is to cash on tourists who visit Amber by creating an additional tourism facility. Besides the forts and the museums, Jaipur would also become a potential wildlife destination and a quick substitute to Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve.

The calving season of Nilgiri tahrs is under way at the park

The Eravikulam National Park, abode of the highly endangered Nilgiri tahr ( Nilgiritragus hylocrius ), will remain closed to visitors till April 4.
Chief Wildlife Warden V. Gopinathan said the two-month closure was an annual affair during the calving season of the tahrs. The closure was ordered on the basis of a report submitted by K.V. Subramanian, Field Director (Project Tiger), that the calving season of these mountain goats had begun at the park. Mr. Subramanian told The Hindu that kids were seen from the later part of January. Many of the female tahrs were heavily pregnant.

Lucknow: The ambitious lion safari project of the Akhilesh government is likely to get delayed for some technical reasons.