The state forest department has decided to stop picnics in seven locations, six near the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Alipurduar and one in a Cooch Behar forest, prioritising wildlife over merrymaking.

Picnics won’t be allowed in at least six picnic spots which are on the fringes of the BTR on the outskirts of Alipurduar town, where a royal Bengal tiger has been sighted after some three decades.

This apart, no picnic will be allowed in Salbagan, another patch of forest developed by then royals of Cooch Behar outside district headquarters.

“A royal Bengal tiger has been recently sighted in Buxa. Thus, we cannot take a risk and allow picnickers in spots which are on the fringes of the reserve. Anybody found violating the ban has to pay a hefty fine and can even face legal action,” said Budhwaraj Sewa, the field director of the BTR.

In the past, thousands of picnickers would gather at Sikiajhora, Uttar Poro, Pampu Busty, Panijhora, Raimatang and Phaskowa, which are areas on the fringes of the tiger turf during the winter months. Such visits would usually start from Christmas Eve and continue till January-end.

“Not anymore. Our focus is on conservation of wildlife, especially tigers. Tigers prefer silence in the forests and there is always an apprehension of sound pollution if picnickers are allowed. Added to it is the pollution of leftovers and garbage. People will have to scout for other picnic spots but there is no question of allowing picnics in these locations,” said a forester, adding that public announcements on the picnic ban are being made since Thursday.

The decision is a financial blow toself-help groups based in the forest villages of BTR. During winter months, these SHGs charge entry fees and site maintenance fees from visitors and also earn through cultural performances.

“It is true that our earnings will be affected. However, we are ready to bear it for the sake of tiger conservation,” said Lal Singh Bhujel, convener of the north Bengal committee of one such group, Ban Shramajeevi Manch.

At Salbagan forest on the outskirts of Cooch Behar town, the department hung posters and made public announcements banning picnics

“It is a restricted area and so we have stopped picnics that pollute the site,” said Sanjib Kumar Saha, the divisional forest officer of Cooch Behar forest division.