You may have just returned from a Diwali break, but if you are a wildlife enthusiast then you might want to start planning a trip to your favourite national park, because it soon might be impossible to visit one. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL), coming up for hearing tomorrow in the Supreme Court, hopes to bring a ban on wildlife tourism because of the adverse impact that it is having on park animals.
As the Supreme Court gets set to hear a petition, opinion on whether it should be banned or not is divided. Those who want the ban argue that insensitive tourists, resorts and lodges in tiger sanctuaries only cause inconvenience to the the big cats.
But Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT), a group that promotes responsible tourism doesn't agree.
"If we are to save tigers and wildlife, we just cannot ban tourism. It would be a disaster," says Belinda Wright, Founder, Wildlife Protection Society of India.
Tiger conservationist Dr Latika Rana says, "We actually don't have any scientific evidence that proves that tourism has caused any decline in tiger populations."
The group says tourism acts as a layer of monitoring due to which tiger population has actually increased in areas which are popular with tourists. It also gives jobs to many people.
"Tourism is very important. We survive on tourism. It is very important for our growth," says Rasad Yadav, a lodge Operator in one of the national parks.
The petition that seeks a ban on tourism in tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh will be heard by the top court on Wednesday.
As the Supreme Court gets set to hear a petition, opinion on whether it should be banned or not is divided. Those who want the ban argue that insensitive tourists, resorts and lodges in tiger sanctuaries only cause inconvenience to the the big cats.
But Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT), a group that promotes responsible tourism doesn't agree.
"If we are to save tigers and wildlife, we just cannot ban tourism. It would be a disaster," says Belinda Wright, Founder, Wildlife Protection Society of India.
Tiger conservationist Dr Latika Rana says, "We actually don't have any scientific evidence that proves that tourism has caused any decline in tiger populations."
The group says tourism acts as a layer of monitoring due to which tiger population has actually increased in areas which are popular with tourists. It also gives jobs to many people.
"Tourism is very important. We survive on tourism. It is very important for our growth," says Rasad Yadav, a lodge Operator in one of the national parks.
The petition that seeks a ban on tourism in tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh will be heard by the top court on Wednesday.
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