TNI Bureau: Tourists and travel operators have criticized the Odisha government for imposing a ban on night stay in Bhitarkanika National Park, which will reopen on January 21. The Bhitarkanika National Park was closed on January 10 after a group of tourists led by a drunken policeman clashed with the forest officials in the night hours and attacked them while trying to make a forcible entry into the prohibitory area.
The government has also made it mandatory for all visitors to show their ID proof. The night stay provision at all tourist bungalows has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
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Dillip Rath, an Entrepreneur from Bhubaneswar, has expressed shock over the government’s decision to impose the ban on night stay, saying it would send a wrong message to the tourists – both domestic and international. He wondered why the government cannot provide adequate security and surrender before the hooliganism by imposing a blanket ban.
Sumitra Sahu, a school teacher from Bhubaneswar, too expressed her disapproval on the measures taken by the government. She said, “it may not be possible for all people to furnish their ID proof. And, they should not be denied the right to visit Bhitarkanika. The government should improve its security mechanism rather than shying away from its duty in the guise of a ban.”