Jaipur, April 10 The forest department has barred three guides and three vehicle drivers from entering the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve after tourists allegedly surrounded a tiger during a safari, officials said on Friday.
The action follows an incident reported on April 2 during the evening safari in Zone 3, when multiple tourist vehicles encircled a tiger, restricting its movement, they said.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Manas Singh said a video of the incident surfaced, based on which an inquiry was conducted.
"During the investigation, the drivers and guides were found to have violated the rules. They have been barred from entering the reserve until further orders," he said.
The officials identified the drivers as Murari Lal Meena, Mahendra Mali and Tejraj Singh, and the guides as Praful Parashar, Hansraj Gurjar and Syed Irshad.
According to the forest department, guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority mandate maintaining a minimum distance of 10 feet during tiger sightings, but the norms were violated in this case.
Further action may be taken based on the inquiry, officials added.
