NILGIRIS: A day after a group of tourists was found taking videos of a sloth bear on the Masinagudi to Moyar road, officials of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) convened a meeting with the members of the Nilgiris Motors Drivers Union and Dr Ambedkar Drivers Union on Wednesday.
The meeting, convened on the directions of the Field Director and Deputy Director of MTR, put in place several instructions to prevent human-animal conflict.
Masinagudi Forest Range Officer V Rajan said drivers have been instructed to stop vehicles if they spot any wild animals since the Moyar road falls under the core area of MTR and restricting the wild animals movement and disturbing them is punishable under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
"Owing to the fruiting of ber trees in the area, a feaw bears have been regularly seen on the roadside and have become increasingly accustomed to tourist traffic. However, several unsafe incidents have been reported, wherein tourists attempted to approach the bears closely -- actions that are extremely dangerous and pose serious risk to both humans and wildlife," said the forest official.
The meeting was also attended by Dr Ambedkar Drivers Union, and the Indian Drivers Association, who are operating safari vehicles on the Moyar routes within the Tiger Reserve.
"A minimum distance of 50 metres must be maintained between the vehicle and any wild animal at all times. We are maintaining zero tolerance for animal harassment. We have instructed the drivers to ensure that tourists should not approach, provoke, or attempt to interact with the wildlife. Likewise, they should also monitor and ensure that tourists do not feed wildlife or dispose garbage during travel. Moreover, they should also strictly prevent all prohibited activities, including smoking, drinking, and any other unlawful behaviour," the official noted.
"Any violation of these instructions will result in an offence being recorded and penalties, including compounding of offence, will be imposed as per law. To ensure compliance, bike patrol staff have already been deployed in the area, especially during weekends and holidays, to monitor and report any violations," Rajan said.
The forest department is also planning to install a signage highlighting these instructions along the Masinagudi-Moyar road.
"The forest department requested all tourists, locals, and jeep safari drivers to strictly adhere to wildlife-friendly behaviour, maintain safe distances, and cooperate with the Forest Department," the official said.