Eco-tourism centres to reopen on August 19

The eco-tourism centres that were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic will start to function from August 19, the chief wildlife warden has said. The centres will be reopened in stages, following strict safety protocol.

With the closure of the ecotourism centres, people who were dependent on forest resources had lost their livelihoods. This had affected about 2,000 people directly and 7,000 indirectly, said the warden, prompting the authorities to reopen the eco-tourism centres.

In the first stage of reopening, children below 10 years and adults above 65 years will not be allowed. Temperature checks will be conducted for all the tourists.

Tickets can only be booked online. Tyres of the vehicles should be disinfected before parking. Before entering the forest, hands and legs should be sanitized and social distancing is to be maintained after entry.

The tourists will not be allowed to step out into the forest once the vehicle safari starts. The vehicle will be disinfected after every trip.