The Forest Department has announced that buffer tourism zones and wildlife sanctuaries across Maharashtra’s tiger reserves will remain open for tourists during the monsoon season. According to the directions issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden and PCCF (Wildlife) under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, only the core zones of tiger reserves will remain closed from June 15 to September 30 due to monsoon restrictions. However, all buffer zone gates will stay open for tourism activities.
Earlier, authorities had experimented with keeping selected buffer zones open during monsoon in Pench Tiger Reserve and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Following the positive response, the department has now decided to continue eco-tourism activities in all buffer zones across tiger reserves in the state.
Tourists will still be able to enjoy gypsy safaris and wildlife tourism in protected areas outside the Core Tiger Habitats (CTHs). Several wildlife sanctuaries, including Tipeshwar, Dnyanganga, Painganga, Umred Karhandla, Yawal, Nandur Madhmeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, will also remain open during the rainy season.
Forest officials stated that this is the first time Maharashtra’s wildlife sanctuaries will stay open during monsoon, marking a significant change from the usual seasonal closure. Earlier, authorities in the Pench landscape had proposed shutting tourism activities in the core areas of Pench Tiger Reserve, Bor Tiger Reserve, and Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary from June 15 onward. However, the Chief Wildlife Warden later directed officials to keep all buffer zones operational for tourists during monsoon.
Speaking about the decision, Dr. Prabhunath Shukla, Field Director of Tadoba National Park, said that while some buffer zones were previously kept open during monsoon, this year all buffer gates will remain accessible for safari tourism. He clarified that the restrictions apply only to core zones during the rainy season.
Similarly, Piyusha Jagtap, Field Director of Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, confirmed that the reserve will remain open for tourists during monsoon except for the core areas.
