Ranthambhore deserted following HC ruling banning vehicle entry

Kota, Dec 9 (UNI) The usually crowded Ranthambhore National Tiger Park is wearing a deserted look after the Rajasthan High Court ruling yesterday, banning vehicular entry into the park, has came into force from today.

Police and forest guard posted at the main entry gate at Ganesh Dham from the morning today, were stopping both national and foreign tourists from entering the park. They are also stopping the entry of vehicles of tour and travel agents, which carry the tourists into the park.

Tour and travel agents, expressing their inability the tourists, however, wanted to take them to Balaji and Sawai Man Singh sanctuaries nearby instead. But under the ruling, the ban on vehicular entry is applicable to these parks also.

Tourists, who had come from far and near for sighting the tigers, are crestfallen and having to return without even an entry into this world-famous park.

''The tourist trade in Rathambhore will be completely ruined following the high court ruling. Thousands of those connected with the tourism trade will now have to look for other avenues,'' Nature guide Nagendra Singh Rajawat said.

He said tour agents have booked tourists online for Ranthambhore sanctuary till June 30. Now these booking will have to be cancelled.

The tour agencies are most concerned as they have to pay advances for these online bookings done by the tourism department.

If by any chance, the ruling is enforced fully and finally, then the agencies will be losing thousands of rupees.

The tour guides and agents say the recent sighting of 10 tiger cubs in Rathambhore have revived worldwide interest in the park, which is receiving more and more tourists this season.

The hotel industry, which was looking up due to high bookings this season, are also concerned.

UNI XC RRT VD KN1538