Corbett, Rajaji opened for tourists

DEHRADUN: Tourist flow to the Corbett and Rajaji national parks resumed today after the forest guards deferred their agitation in the wake of assurances given by the

Uttarakhand government to look into their demands which include hike in their wages.

"Corbett and Rajaji National parks are opened for tourists. The talks are on between Forest Minister Vanshidhar Bhagat and forest guards to resolve their problems. The government is considering their demands sympathetically," said Forest Secretary Anoop Badhavan.

Uttarakhand Forest Guards Federation locked the gates of Corbett and Rajaji National parks on their opening day yesterday causing much difficulty to the tourists and wildlife lovers coming from different parts of the country.

The two national parks reopen for tourists on November 15 every year after remaining closed for monsoon season.

India's oldest national park, Jim Corbett, which is known for tigers and Rajaji Park, known for Asiatic elephants, attract lakhs of tourists every year.

The forest guards are demanding that they should be promoted as forester after their 14 years of service and then as deputy ranger after 24 years of service. Among other things they are also seeking pay grades as per the recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission. There are 2,118 forest guards in Uttarakhand.

Maya Mohan Kandwal, president of the federation, said they have deferred their agitation on the assurance of government and if the talk fails, they would again be forced to take to streets.