The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has planned to introduce Battery Operated Vehicles for tourists by replacing the existing vehicles to make the jungle tourism experience in Tadoba more enjoyable and better. This scheme is currently in preliminary stage.
State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has suggested the use of ‘e-vehicles’ and ‘BOVs’ for tourism, considering the many advantages of ‘battery-powered’ vehicles. Tadoba Tiger Reserve officials are trying for battery-powered ‘Gypsy’ vehicles. Earlier, Tadoba management approached two companies. both of these companies did not come true to what the Tadoba management wanted. So They are working with a company that is changing the e-vehicle through a Delhi-based company. There has been some success in it.
Old vehicles have been converted into ‘BOVs’. Driving tests are being conducted in core and buffer areas. 8 lakhs have been paid to a Delhi-based company for retrofitting the vehicle. It includes many features. After charging for 6-8 hours during testing, the vehicle drove 100 to 120 km. 8 hours of charging can easily complete two safaris. After successful testing, Forest Department introduce these vehicles.
More than 500 ‘gypsies’ are engaged in forest tourism within the core and buffer zone of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. This gypsy is causing pollution due to a large amount of carbon emission. to avoid this pollution, the Tadoba management has now come up with a scheme for ‘battery-powered’ vehicles for tourism.
