There’s nothing quite like watching a leopard stalk up a jungle tree, stretch and drape itself across a branch. The silence marred only by the click of a camera; the animal oblivious or disdainful.
Big cats such as tigers, lions and leopards, along with elephants form a major source of attraction to what is a growing trend in the tourism sector – wildlife tourism, which, experts say, has grown at a rapid pace over the last five years or so and continues to grow 15-20 per cent year on year.
From Chennai, said Rajeev Kale, COO, Thomas Cook, there has been a 15 per cent rise in this sector. “Our sales team has found travellers from Chennai have special interests such as wildlife photography, living in tented accommodation and prefer a specialist guide,” he said.
Wildlife tours appeal to every kind of traveller – singles, families, groups or senior citizens, said Divia Thani Daswani, editor Condé Nast Traveller India. “Wildlife vacations have something for everybody. Regular safari-goers always speak of how these vacations allow for great family-time and togetherness. There’s also been an increase in young professionals making these trips over long weekends, especially during off-peak seasons,” she said.
Popular destinations include Kabini in Karnataka, Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, Gir in Gujarat, Jim Corbett National Park, Ranthambore, and more recently, Tadoba in Maharashtra, the Jawai Leopard Camp and Jammu and Kashmir for the elusive snow leopard. While tigers remain the biggest draw, other big cats, elephants and for a certain segment, birds, add to the lure.
Access to these parks and sanctuaries however, is something that needs more work, said Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com. “Most of these parks are difficult to get to, as they involve travelling by different modes of transport. If this could be eased out with better roads and more infrastructure, the number of visitors would rise,” he said.
Foreign tourists generally prefer destinations that have easy access and connectivity and are relatively better developed – such as the luxury lodges in some parts of the country, said Ms Daswani.
Experts said sustainable tourism was vital. “Public and private institutions must work together to protect our wildlife and the environment and allow generations more to enjoy it,” said Ms. Daswani.
