The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) directed chief wildlife wardens of all states to follow protocol to maintain 500 metre distance between two vehicles during safari. This order was an after math of a video which went viral showing a Gypsy blocking path of a tiger in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
A NTCA member stated that tourism carrying capacity in respect of tiger reserves is calculated at maximum number of vehicles permitted per day as per the prescription mentioned in NTCA’s guidelines issued in 2012.The capacity is determined with the presumption that the gap between two vehicles is 500 meters. And they have asked all the tiger range states to implement the rules in letter and spirit for the benefit of animals and tourists.
As per information, in Tadoba a vehicle driver and a guide were suspended for blocking path of a dominant male tiger on Feb 9.And no action has been taken in for violating the rules. And the Tadoba RFO will conduct an inquiry into the incident. Tourists say that such incidents are not new in Tadoba.And such incidents occur due to lack of enforcement.