Nature and wildlife enthusiasts who want to visit the forests of north Bengal may get some good news amid the pandemic. Bengal forest department is likely to allow visitors to the national parks of the region soon.

“Recently, state forest minister (Rajib Banerjee) instructed some senior officers in north Bengal to submit to him a report on the present state of affairs of national parks. A detailed report with a plan on the health and safety of visitors, forest employees, guides and cab drivers, has been prepared and sent to him for a final approval. We expect some positive decision on the reopening of national parks in another couple of days,” said a source.

Every year from June 15 to September 15, forests remain closed for visitors. However this year the pandemic has created an entirely new set of challenges.

Initially, the department would only allow car safaris for tourists, an official said.

“As a preventive measure, we will allow only four persons in a vehicle on a car safari. Also, visitors will have to follow strict health protocols such as physical distancing, wearing masks and carrying hand sanitisers. At entry and exit, each visitor and his vehicle will be sanitised and he will be screened with a thermal gun,” said the official.

The department will take some more time to resume the elephant safari — the most attractive option. In north Bengal, car safari is available in Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve. The elephant safari is available in Gorumara and Jaldapara.

No immediate decision will be made to reopen zoos, including the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling and Bengal Safari Park near Siliguri, the official added.

Such moves by the forest department come at a time when the tourism stakeholders have sent a letter to minister Banerjee, urging him to see that facilities are opened by his department to draw tourists especially during Durga Puja and Diwali holidays.

“North Bengal, particularly the Dooars, is getting tourist queries. Tourists are also asking if they can enter the forests. If the department opens up its services for visitors, it will give tourism a big boost. We hope the minister understands the situation and makes an appropriate decision,” said Samrat Sanyal, general secretary, Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network.