The Bengal forest department has announced a 25 per cent fee waiver for students for educational trips in reserve forests across the state.

Debal Ray, the principal chief wildlife warden in Bengal, said on Sunday that the waiver would start from the New Year.

“It has been decided that students of educational institutions, on educational trips to reserve forests, will get a waiver of 25 per cent on certain charges. Among these include entry fee, parking charge for vehicles and forest road user charge. We believe it will encourage students to visit the reserve forests and enjoy the rich biodiversity they offer,” Ray said over the phone.

In north Bengal, the department collects charges from visitors during jungle safaris to forests like the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Singalila National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary and some areas of Baikunthapur forest division.

Every year, students with teachers from schools, colleges and universities visit the reserve forests for studies.

“These forests are rich in biodiversity. Even the avian species and moths draw students, researchers and experts. The decision made by the forest department is welcome,” said Animesh Bose, a wildlife conservationist based in Siliguri.

The department has not cited any waiver on charges paid for vehicles and guides during the safaris.

“We believe these should be waived. Also, student waiver should be 50 per cent. We regularly conduct nature study camps. If such a waiver is offered, we can take students to reserve forests during jungle safaris,” said Bhaskar Das of the Nature and Trekkers’ Club of Jalpaiguri.

Sabyasachi Roy, a tour operator in Jalpaiguri, said the forest department should streamline charges. "On one hand, they charge an entry fee for vehicles. On the other, a visitor pays forest road user charge. These should be streamlined to promote more visitors to forests,” he said.