The Heritage Animal Task Force has called upon the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFs) to revoke its order permitting entry of tourists even within the 8-km radius of the core forest areas.
In a letter faxed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the National Wildlife Board Chairman, on Wednesday, V.K. Venkitachalam, HATF secretary, said that the killing of two Gujarati tourists by a wild elephant inside the 5-km distance of the core area in the Gavi forests should be an eye-opener in this regard.
Mr. Venkitachalam alleged that the MoEF decision permitting tourists into the core areas was a wrong move without considering the environmental and social implications.
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He said 8 km surrounding the core area was where tigers, leopards, and elephants frequented in groups. He said many wildlife enthusiasts in Kerala had expressed deep concern over the threat posed by the MoEF decision to the peaceful living of animals inside core forest areas.