SENSITISING SAFARIS

For most of the adventure travelers and the so-called wildlife lovers, spotting Tigers in reserves and sanctuaries is the only big thing they want and feel happy about. Its just like those uninvited guests on a drowsy Sunday morning, who drag you from your bed, just to say that they have come to see you. And then you know what to do with such kind of guests, don't you?

Then why this point still remains unclear in the mind of nature tourists who embark on safaris just to have a glimpse of the mighty creatures, be it at any cost? To be called a real nature lover, one needs to empathize with the wild and understand that they are in their habitat.

To educate people on the same lines, Karnataka Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation Society has together started an awareness programme which has till date attracted more than 1000 participants.

The project commenced on 15th of March, taking people on visitors to Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, without asking for any charges. On every weekend 13 safari buses take 390 participants for a 30 km wildlife trip, with 10 volunteers who are a part of the awareness programme.

Before the visitors embark on the journey, they are informed about the journey's schedule and rules to be followed. The volunteers guide them about the flora and fauna of the park and about the lesser known species. It is seen that the visitors observe the rules of the programme and don't hurt the ecosystem of the place, enlightening them about the behavior one should adhere when one enters a wild habitat.

Even though the motive behind the programme was such a crucial one, many of the participants didn't show positive reactions. The trip was enlightening only for those who share a strong passion and love for wildlife but the rest were disappointed because they could not spot the Tiger. But the programme would definitely do a lot to educate the uninvited guests about respecting the privacy of the host.