Foreigners may have to pay 5 times more for Corbett Park entry

Dehra Dun: Entry of foreigners into the famous Corbett National Park may be five times more expensive if Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has his way.

Bahuguna today said there was need for increasing revenue of the National Park and directed the authorities to charge five times more fee from foreign tourists.

At present, a domestic visitor to the park has to pay Rs 200 and a foreigner Rs 1,000.

At a meeting with officials of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Ramnagar, Bahuguna said the fee from foreign tourists should be charged in Dollars as it would also increase foreign currency reserve in the country, an official release said.

He directed the officials to improve the facilities and food quality to attract more tourists to the park.

Bahuguna said Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned for improving the landscaping of the park.

He called for chalking out a special tourism policy for the Corbett Park and uploading it on websites for publicity.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to make separate arrangements for dealing with rush during peak season.

Bahuguna said the state government is committed to conservation of tigers and a concrete policy would be chalked out in this regard.

He also directed the officials to identify the illegal construction near the Corbett Park and take action against them.

Regarding shifting out of some villages from the Corbett Park, Bahuguna asked the officials to prepare a plan within one month and present it before him during the next meeting to be held on July 15 in Dehra Dun.

Uttarakhand Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) S S Sharma said 80 per cent income of CTR goes to the state revenue department and the rest is utilised for the park.