Nainital: In some good news for tourists, the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) will allow day safari and night stay in the popular Dhikala zone from November 22. The five prominent zones of CTR— Bijrani, Dhela, Durga Devi, Gairal and Jhirna — had opened for tourists earlier this week, but visitors were disappointed as only day safaris were being permitted in these zones. In Dhikala, where most tiger sightings have been reported by tourists in the past few years, even day safaris were not allowed.Over 1,000 tourists have visited Corbett every day since it was opened on November 15. Last year, the average footfall recorded was 1,200 tourists per day.On Tuesday, the CTR administration said that night stay would be allowed in Dhikala zone. Corbett director Rahul (who only uses his first name) told TOI, “We sought legal opinion and we have been advised that night stay can be allowed in Dhikala. We are yet to take a decision regarding allowing night stay in other zones.”A reserve official said on condition of anonymity, “The night stay was allowed since the decision had met with dismay by tourists. We discussed with experts who were of the opinion that allowing tourism in reserves, when regulated, can help create more awareness on wildlife conservation.”The Uttarakhand high court had on September 4 prohibited entry of commercial vehicles in Dhikala and asked the government to file a supplementary affidavit as to why tourists were permitted to stay overnight in forests. The CTR administration had thereafter stopped night stay in all zones of the park.The decision had met with stiff opposition with groups and associations related to tourism in the area such as gypsy operators, hoteliers and tour guides preparing to go on a strike unless night stay was allowed.The news of night stay and day safaris being allowed in Dhikala has spread cheer among tourists. Puneet Sudesh Sachdeva, a tourist, said, “I hope night stay is allowed in other zones as well. It is a big draw for tourists.”

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