UDHAGAMANDALAM: Wildlife activists are up in arms after a group of tourists entered the core area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris and took out a night safari with the help of forest officials on Wednesday. They continued their stay in the reserve, taking shelter in an anti-poaching camp near Wombetta lake in Kargudi range. Activists demanded to know how the visitors gained entry into the core area of a tiger reserve during night hours when forest officials themselves are not allowed inside.
The visitors, from Theni and Coimbatore, are relatives of a few friends of one of the MTR officials, sources said. Entering the core area of a tiger reserve without proper permission and purpose and staying overnight amounts to an offence under the Wildlife Act 1972, official sources confirmed. Recently, the Tamil Nadu forest minister was denied entry into MTR during night hours as per norms of the tiger reserve.
"When such is the case, an eight-member group was allowed deep inside forest area for night rides. The group stayed overnight at a shed meant for anti-poaching watchers located at Wombetta Lake in Kargudi range in the reserve," said a wildlife activist, seeking anonymity. "Without the connivance of officials, the visitors could not have gained entry," he said. Wildlife in the forest core area cannot be disturbed with human activity and the act is highly condemnable, said the activist.
When contacted, field director of MTR and Mukurthi National Park, Srinivas R Reddy, who is camping at MTR, told TOI, "No visitors are allowed inside the core area of the reserve. Strict systems are in place and forest officials in the MTR are aware of the norms". With an area of about 312 sq km, the MTR, one of the oldest tiger reserves in the country, houses four to five guesthouses located in fringe areas for the benefit tourists as well wildlife enthusiasts. Besides, daily vehicle safaris and elephant rides are also organised.
