Even if the parks open, and in near future, there would be tourists, the tiger safaris would operate in a much-changed manner.
First priority should be rigorous testing of all inbound and locals for the presence of the infection. All those involved in tiger tourism should have been tested and those infected should be quarantined for a long. This mechanism of testing appropriately should be available at all junctures. Rigorous testing at airports and railheads is a must. Even all workers in the reserves, the guides, naturalists, jeep drivers, the hotel staff all should be tested on regular basis.
Till the disease is completely overcome canter safaris should not be allowed to be conducted. Only private jeep safaris should be allowed in but in limited numbers for the time being. Crowding around the gate office should be prevented and permits should be issued online.
The authorities must come up with solutions that prevent contact between strangers like the social distancing in effect. The spread of the disease needs a preventive approach till the last case is closed in India and probably elsewhere.
Greet Your Guests With a Silent Namaste!
Not only during the safaris the wildlife resorts too should follow safety guidelines as mentioned above. The whole property should be sanitized from time to time. In fact, responsible hotels and resorts could be more efficient in implementing methods for the prevention of infection from coronavirus. Now is the time to encourage small properties!
Why this article? Well, the economic activities have to go on as our fight to stem the rot continues. If the whole industry World over emulates safety norms set by one and another the aftermath will be good.
Comments
The big cats in the zoo reported incidences of coronavirus infection in Gujarat and Southern India.. Fortunately, it has not reached the tiger reserves yet. Precautions are being taken by sanitization and maintaining vehicular distance for them.
pateluday, It's good news that tiger conservation suffered no setbacks because of vigilant guards.
During the lockdown, online news noted, without follow-ups, that a cat in the United Kingdom received a corona-virus diagnosis. Were any tigers in the subcontinental reserves ever found to suffer from COVID-19?
No it did not affect tiger conservation as guards were active but poachers are always looking for openings.
pateluday, Thank you for the practical information and the pretty pictures.
Did the shutdown affect the care and security of the tiger reserves?