Chandrapur: Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) authorities are facing pressure to allow local tribals into the park to worship their patron deity Tadoba Dev. Hundreds of villagers, including women and children, from surrounding buffer villages staged a sit-in at Khutwanda gate of TATR on Sunday to protest the apathy of the park administration.Reports said hundreds of villagers had approached Khutwanda gate in the morning, seeking entry into the park to offer prayers at Tadoba Dev deep inside the core area of the park. Tadoba Dev is a large tree in Tadoba range of the park, which is worshipped by the villagers. In fact, the park is named after the same deity.“We have been worshipping Tadoba Dev since centuries. Every year we go to Tadoba Dev to offer prayers on first Sunday of Hindu month of Paush. Now, tiger reserve authorities are denying entry to us to worship our patron deity in the name of rules and regulation,” charged Madav Jiwtode, who was leading the villagers.TATR CCF and field director NR Pravin said rules do not permit them to allow entry of hundreds of people in a group into the park. “We are ready to let in a small group of select people to enter the park and perform prayers. However, allowing 300-400 people at a time is not possible,” he explained.Sources said villagers went back home after it grew dark and cold in the evening. However, the leaders have resolved to continue the protest till they are allowed entry.This is the second time in two months that TATR management had a face-off with the villagers. Earlier, on November 25, hundreds of villagers from Palasgaon and other villages in core and buffer had stormed Moharli gate and stalled the safaris after they were denied entry to visit relatives residing in the park. The matter was resolved after park management accepted their mistake and promised to allow all visitors.

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