Jaipur: The forest administration at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has waded into a controversy for allegedly prioritising VIP tourism over wildlife protection. A recent incident involving Union tourism and culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat raised serious questions about violations of conservation norms at the reserve.According to sources, the national park officially closes to tourists at 6:30pm. However, in a reel posted by the minister himself, a spotlight can be seen illuminating two tigers well after sunset. The footage, shot in the dark, clearly shows artificial lighting being used during a tiger sighting, an act prohibited under guidelines issued by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).A retired forest officer said, “As per NTCA norms, night safaris are strictly banned in tiger reserves, and if visitors remain inside the forest after sunset due to unavoidable circumstances, they are not permitted to focus lights on wildlife.” The video, reportedly shot in Zone 2 on the Parikrama Marg while returning from Suleshwar Mahadev Temple, appears to show both guidelines being flouted. The minister captioned the video, “Our Royal Bengal Tiger. Truly royal and majestic. Spotted this pair of our national animal at the Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur last evening.”Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has been under the scanner in recent weeks, with multiple incidents reflecting increasing human interference with wildlife. From tourists seen playing with tiger cubs to a young man filming a reel dangerously close to a tiger, the sanctuary’s conservation standards are being called into question. The emergence of this high-profile breach, involving a Union minister, has only added fuel to the fire.Shekhawat was on a two-day visit to Sawai Madhopur beginning Friday. During his stay, he visited Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Suleshwar Mahadev, and went on safari inside the reserve. The video in question is believed to have been recorded on the evening of Saturday, May 17, after sunset.Efforts by TOI to contact deputy conservator of forest and deputy field director, Ramanand Bhakar, for comments were unsuccessful.
R’bore officials prioritise ‘VIP tourism’ over wildlife | Jaipur News
