The restrictions imposed by the Forest Department on wildlife safari in the Muthanga Ecotourism Centre under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WSS), a major tourism destination in the district, is affecting tourist arrivals.
Only a third of the 1,000 tourists who reach the destination each day are getting a chance to go on the safari due to the restrictions. As many as 5,732 tourists took the safari after the centre reopened on April 21.
High fare
The sanctuary authorities had permitted as many as 28 taxi-jeeps to conduct 60 trips a day. On the reopening day itself, tourists were denied the opportunity to go into the sanctuary due to a strike by taxi owners seeking a fare hike, N. Badusha, president, Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti, said.
Such centres in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka used Forest Department vehicles to conduct safaris. They jeep-taxis charged Rs.600 for a 9-km ride, Mr. Badusha said.
“The sanctuary authorities should start bus service. All tourists will get a chance to enjoy the wilderness. It will also create more job opportunities for tribal youths in the region. It will reduce the pressure on animals due to the constant presence of jeeps,” Mr. Badusha said.
“The Tourism Department had allotted Rs.20 lakh to purchase two vehicles for the safari last year. The vehicles have not been procured,” he said.
A.P. Imthiyas, Assistant Wildlife Warden, WWS, said the tender processes to procure two specially designed vehicles for the safari had started.
The vehicles would begin service soon after including it in the forest management plan of the WWS, he said.
