by Siddharth Pandey
Gua: The forest department has imposed a temporary ban on granting permission to outside tourists to visit the dense forests of Saranda, citing concerns over their safety.
According to official sources from the forest department, tourists from outside were previously allowed to visit Saranda through the forest department office in Kiriburu without guides, often venturing into unsafe zones due to incomplete geographical knowledge of the area.
This practice led to various risks and dangers for the tourists.
In response to these safety concerns, the forest department has mandated that any outside tourist wishing to visit Saranda must now obtain permission under special circumstances and be accompanied by a guide appointed by the forest department.
This measure aims to ensure the safety of tourists by preventing inadvertent entry into areas known for Naxalite activities, such as Tholkobad, Baliba, Tirilposi, Kumdih, Kolayburu, and Kudlibad, where encounters between police and Naxalites have recently occurred.
Durga Devgam, a JMM leader and social worker from Badajamda, commended the forest department’s decision, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding tourists.
Saranda forest has been a long-standing stronghold of CPI Maoist Naxalites, posing potential risks to unsuspecting visitors.
Moreover, the presence of wild elephants moving between forested areas and nearby villages has also increased the safety concerns for tourists. These elephants have been responsible for fatalities among villagers in recent months.
Furthermore, natural hazards such as sudden rises in water levels in rivers, streams, and water sources during heavy rains pose additional risks to tourists, potentially trapping and endangering them.
To mitigate these risks and ensure visitor safety, the forest department has halted tourist permissions temporarily. The decision is expected not only to protect tourists but also to provide employment opportunities for locals by engaging them as guides, ensuring that tourists are led through safe areas of the forest.
