Tiger sighted after it was thrown open on Tuesday The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) was thrown open to tourists on Tuesday. The ad hoc committee, constituted on the recommendations of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in accordance with a recent directive of the Supreme Court, had reviewed the situation at the reserve at a meeting held here a few days ago. The reopening was announced through a press statement issued by Chief Wildlife Warden Bhagwan Singh through the Information and Public Relations Office. The committee was constituted based on the recommendations of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in accordance with a recent directive of the Supreme Court. The ban on tourism in the MTR was imposed about four months ago by the Supreme Court. While lifting the ban, the apex court had laid down conditions. Among other things it had ordered that tourism activities should not affect tiger conservation efforts. Deputy Director, MTR, A. Emir Haja, told The Hindu that on receiving the court order, steps were taken to comply with the conditions. Elephant rides and van safaris have resumed, he said. Forest rest house complexes such as the Log House, Sylvan Lodge and Abhyaranyam had been thrown open. Those who were part of the first van safari had sighted a tiger. Those in the hospitality and travel sectors welcomed the reopening of the reserve. Many of them said that the closure had hit the flow of tourists. People belonging to various sections of society at Gudalur and its surroundings said that they were relieved. They had been hoping that the reserve would reopen during the Deepavali weekend when there was a spurt in tourist flow. Conservationists and environmentalists pointed out that the emphasis in the Supreme Court order was on conservation of tigers and protection of their habitat. This should not be lost sight of by the management of the reserve and committee members.