The Bombay High Court has strongly criticized an incident involving safari vehicles carrying tourists that obstructed the movement of a tigress and her cubs. This occurred in Maharashtra’s Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Sanctuary on New Year’s Eve. On January 6, 2025, Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi of the HC’s Nagpur bench issued a notice to the state’s principal chief conservator of forests. They are seeking a detailed affidavit on actions taken and preventive measures.
The bench will hear the plea on January 8, 2025.
Safari vehicles crowded around the tigress, identified as F-2, and her five cubs on both sides of the road. This was in the sanctuary’s buffer zone in viral videos from December 31, 2024. Tourists captured photos and videos of the animals.
View this post on Instagram
Taking suo motu cognizance of the videos and news reports, the state forest department on January 6 suspended four drivers and guides involved in the incident for three months. Authorities imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on the gypsy SUV drivers and fined nature guides ₹1,000 each. They registered cases against them under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Stricter Wildlife Protection Measures
Pench Tiger Reserve (Nagpur) deputy director Prabhu Nath Shukla stated that tourists violated sanctuary rules by blocking the path of the tigress F-2 and her cubs. This incident involved multiple safari vehicles at Gothangaon in Kuhi wildlife range. Consequently, tourists involved in the incident have been permanently banned from future visits to the sanctuary.
Moreover, the deputy director of Bor Tiger Reserve heads a committee to recommend measures to prevent similar incidents. Furthermore, authorities have instructed field officers and staff to increase regular patrolling along safari routes. Additionally, special meetings and workshops are being organized for nature guides and gypsy drivers to raise awareness and sensitivity towards ecotourism.
The Bombay High Court and the state forest department aim to ensure the protection of wildlife in the Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Sanctuary through these actions. They also aim to promote responsible tourism practices by implementing these measures.
