The State Forest department is preparing for the reopening of Rajaji and Corbett national parks for tourists on November 15. Tourists in huge numbers are expected to arrive in these two national parks which were closed on June 15.

While local youth are being trained to work as nature guides in Rajaji, the department is also planning to encourage tourism in the buffer zones of Corbett to decrease the pressure of visitors in the core area of the national park, best known to have the highest density of tigers according to the latest tiger census.

Rajaji field director Sargam Singh Rasaily said that eight local youth have been trained in nature interpretation, aspects of wildlife and precautionary measures. More local youth are being trained for the same purpose. “We hope that local youth acting as guides for tourists will reduce the work load on the national park staff who will then be able to focus on other tasks,” he said.

In the case of Corbett, which was visited by more than two lakh tourists during the previous season ending June 15, the authorities are planning to encourage tourism in the buffer zones to lessen the effect of tourism in the core zone of the park.

The authorities hope that in addition to improving the environment and reducing wildlife crime in the core zone, encouraging tourism in Ramnagar and Terai west forest divisions will also help in socioeconomic development of the local residents. According to State Forest and Environment Advisory Committee vice-chairman Anil Baluni, Corbett officers and other officers concerned will soon be discussing areas where tourism should be encouraged. The wildlife which attracts tourists to Corbett can also be enjoyed in the Ramnagar and Terai west forest divisions, which the authorities plan to develop.

Corbett Platinum Jubilee: Tiger experts and wildlife specialists from India and abroad will be attending the Corbett Platinum Jubilee programme to be held in the Corbett National Park on November 15.