GUWAHATI: From this month onwards, only online bookings of jeep and elephant safaris will be permitted in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam.
The authorities have issued a notification asking the jeep safari associations, safari operators, hotels, resorts, and guest houses in Kaziranga to register online on the National Park’s website- www.kazirangasafari.in on or before April 15, 2022.
The notice further stated that vehicles not registered on the website and found operating without the system-generated e-tickets will not be permitted entry inside the Park. As such, no cash transactions will be allowed.
Additionally, the operators have been directed to create their accounts on PayTM e-wallet on or before April 15, wherein the jeep hiring amount collected online will be transferred to their e-wallet accounts on T+1 day, excluding any holidays on account of the trips accomplished by them on the previous day.
The amount can be withdrawn from the e-wallet to one’s account at any time without any additional charges.
Jatin Sharma, the new Director of Kaziranga National Park told G Plus that outside tourists and especially foreigners prefer online transactions. “The e-ticketing is not mandated for this season but will be implemented strictly from the next tourist season. We have trained the operators already,” Sharma added.
Reportedly, there are about 500 jeeps and over 100 elephants involved in safaris.
Sharma informed that the Kaziranga National Park will close for this season soon. “We are expecting to close down by April 30. But it all depends on the rain. If the rains are early then we have to close down earlier as the safety of the tourists must be considered,” he added.