Gujarat’s Gir National Park has reopened for public and now even kids below 10 years of age and elderly are allowed to visit. By Tanvi Jain
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Gujarat’s famous Gir Sanctuary and the two safari parks have finally reopened for public, months after being closed due to the nationwide lockdown announced in March this year to curb the spread of novel coronavirus. However, the tourist hotspot is yet to pick up with the footfall as it hasn’t received enough bookings, not even for Diwali, which usually witnesses maximum number of visitors.
While the tourism zone inside the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (GNPWS) opened on October 16, Gir Interpretation Zone, Devalia safari park in Gir (west) wildlife division near Sasan, and Ambardi safari park in Gir (east) wildlife division near Dhari in Amreli district, opened on October 1.
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“The response has been lukewarm so far this year. Less than 500 safaris have happened in these three tourism places since the season began. Till yesterday (October 21), permits were available even for Diwali festivities days. People may be preferring to remain indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now allowing entry to children below 10 years of age as well as elderly. Now that restrictions on tourists of certain age groups have been lifted, we might see an uptick in the number of visitors,” Dushyant Vasavada, chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Junagadh wildlife circle told The Indian Express.
Also read – Call Of The Wild: Dive Into The World Of Asiatic Lions With India’s Top Safaris
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While the two safari parks remain open throughout the year, the sanctuary remains closed during the monsoon season. Last year, the Gir forest had welcomed more than five lakh tourists to see the Asiatic lion. As per reports, the forest department’s per day quota of 150 visitors, has not even received 10 per cent bookings as of now.
“We are seeing around five safaris in the morning and an equal number in the evening. In all, about 75 safaris have departed from Sasan from the day the sanctuary gates were opened to the tourists. People are just not turning up as yet,” The Indian Express quoted the president of Gipsy Owners Association (GOA), Sasan, Khimji Sandera, as saying.
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