A relief to Gypsy drivers, guides, hotel/resort/home-stay owners, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) would not be closed amid coronavirus scare. The announcement came in the meeting of hotel, resort and home stay owners under the president ship of Kunal Khemnar, District Collector of Chandrapur, at a hall in Agazari buffer area on Friday. In the meeting, the owners complained that 30 to 40 per cent reservations in their resorts/hotels were cancelled due to Coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign tourists are cancelling their jungle safari in view of spread of Coronavirus, and restrictions imposed by the Central Government. There could be some cancellations for jungle safaris by domestic tourists, but the reserve would continue to function. The amount is non-refundable if tourists cancel jungle safari booked in Tatkal quote or 60/120 days in advance.
In view of this exceptional scenario, Praveen said that he would make efforts at government level to see that the amount is refunded to tourists. Khemnar appealed to owners of resorts, hotels and home-stays not to cancel bookings. He asked them to take necessary precautions like washing hands, avoiding crowd, maintain cleanliness etc. The hotel/resort owners welcomed the decision of the Field Director to keep the park open.
Nikhil Abhyankar, a resort owner, said that the decision taken by Central Government to restrict foreigners would impact the business. However, the decision of the Field Director to keep the park open would help those depending on ecotourism such as guides and Gypsy drivers to tide over the situation. Indian tourists would continue to visit the reserve, he said adding that all the stakeholders welcomed the decision and resolved to put to rest all the rumours.
