Maharashtra state government decided to impose COVID restrictions on national parks and tiger reserves in the state will remain closed from April 15 to 30, because of the explosion in infection cases at wildlife sanctuaries.
According to tour guides, and resort owners, the flow of tourists had already gone down in parks like Tadoba and Pench, which usually used to be packed during summer. Pench and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) were closed for Saturday and Sunday.
Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Conservator of Forests & Field Director, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) told about the fresh order issued by the government on April 13, and to restrict the public and open places that include all ecotourism activities in Tadoba and its buffer zone. Apart from TATR, Umred-Karhandla and Mansinghdeo sanctuaries and Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR) will also remain closed. Tipeshwar will also remain closed till April 30.
The entire advance booking amount for the period between April 15 and 30 shall be deposited in the e-wallet of the respective account on www.mytadoba.org. TATR has also opened a helpline for tourists (9579160778 / 8010539472).
Further, the Madhya Pradesh side of Pench, which attracts a number of tourists from Nagpur, had already decided to close down the park from April 8, following complete lockdown in Seoni district of the neighbouring state.