Karnataka collects entry fees from vehicles passing through tiger reserves
An official says the additional revenue generated will help the forest department strengthen conservation efforts.
2 min read
A senior forest department official said the additional revenue generated from the entry fees would help the department take up conservation initiatives. (Representational/ File) Karnataka’s forest department has started collecting entry fees from private and goods vehicles entering the state through tiger reserves. Fees of Rs 20 for light vehicles and Rs 50 for heavy vehicles are collected under section 28 (2) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
The entry fees have been collected since June 1 at border checkposts in the tiger reserves after principal chief conservator of forest Rajiv Ranjan issued an order in this regard to the reserves’ field directors.
Ambulances are exempted from paying the fees.
A senior forest department official said the additional revenue generated from the entry fees would help the department take up conservation initiatives.
“Cleaning the reserves involves more staff and their salaries could be met with this amount. Secondly, installation of CCTV cameras and procurement of equipment for protecting the reserves can also be met with the revenue generated. Every day thousands of people pass through the reserves creating disturbance to the wildlife. The fees will hopefully curb this to a certain extent and also help us in conservation initiatives,” a senior official told indianexpress.com.
Indianexpress.com has accessed a copy of the order issued by the chief conservator of forest.
The Kali, Bandipur, Nagarhole and Biligirirangana tiger reserves share borders with Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa.
States such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been collecting a cess from private vehicles passing through forest areas for the past few years. In 2019, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve proposed a “green tax” on vehicles entering Karnataka.
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