Tiger sighting in Gypsy now costlier by Rs 170 in R’bhore

Now, tourists will have to shell out more from their pockets, for sighting tigers in Ranthambore National Park (RNP). The department of forest has hiked the safari charges for the tourists who want to ride a Gypsy in the Park. No hike has, however, been proposed for safari in canters.

According to sources, both domestic and foreign tourists will now have to pay more for tiger safari in RNP. The park authorities announced that price per person for tiger safari in Gypsy has been increased by Rs170 for both domestic and foreign tourists with immediate effect. Previously, the booking price per person was Rs727 for a domestic tourist and it has now been increased to Rs897 per person after a hike of Rs170. Similarly, gypsy booking price for foreign tourists has been increased to Rs1,637 from the previous fee of Rs1,467.

The officials posted at the Park said that it was decided to hike the gypsy booking price on the directions of the department. It is intended to boost the park’s revenue, according to reserve officials. It has been argued by them that an increase in expenditure on security and relocation of human habitats was done and so to cover this cost, a hike in safari charges was ordered.

The price hike has come into effect from June 23, said an official. It is worth mentioning here that in terms of revenue generation, Ranthambore is the highest grossing tiger reserve in the country. A recent data released by the forest department says that Ranthabmore earned total revenue of Rs23.06 crore in the financial year 2016-17, which was highest as compared to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. The increase in revenue is being attributed to the growing population of tigers in Ranthambore reserve.

Besides, Ranthambore in 2016 launched a ‘tatkal’ tiger safari scheme, allowing tourists to go on a full day or half day forest safari from sunrise to sunset. In wake of the highest revenue collection and tourists flooding to the reserve the forest department has now planned to allow safari for tiger sighting on selected routes during Monsoon period even when the reserve otherwise is closed due to mating season of big cats.