WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) (RAJASTHAN) (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2023

 

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the power conferred by section 64 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (Central Act No. 53 of 1972), the State Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Wildlife (Protection) (Rajasthan) Rules, 1977, namely:-

Rule - 1. Short title and commencement.

(1)     These rules may be called the Wildlife (Protection) (Rajasthan) (Amendment) Rules, 2023.

(2)     They shall come into force on and from 01 April, 2023.

Rule - 2. Amendment of rule 23.

The existing sub-rule (3) of the 23 of the Wildlife (Protection) (Rajasthan) Rules, 1977 shall be substituted by the following, namely: -

"(3) Every person to whom a permit has been issued under sub-rule (1) shall, before entering a Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo National Park Bhagalpur, other Sanctuaries and Protected Areas, pay, -

(A)     An entrance fee at the following rate:-

(i)       For Critical Tiger Habitat of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Sawai Madhopur -

(ii)      For Keoladeo National Park Bhagalpur and other Critical Tiger Habitats except of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve Sawai Madhopur -

(iii)     For all other Sanctuaries and Protected Areas including Buffer of Tiger Reserves -

Note: (i) If any route goes through Critical Tiger Habitat as well as Buffer, the fee mentioned for Critical Tiger Habitat shall be payable.

(ii) Education trip of students organized by the Forest Department shall be exempted from the payment of entrance fee.

(B)     An additional entrance fee for vehicle and boat at the following rates:-

(i)       Vehicle:

(a)      For Critical Tiger Habitat of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Sawai Madhopur -

(b)      For Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur, Critical Tiger Habitat of other Tiger Reserves except of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve Sawai Madhopur -

(c)      For all other Sanctuaries and Protected Areas including buffer of Tiger Reserves,-

(ii)      Boat:

(C)     Camera fee and Security Deposit:-

(i)       Camera Fee for Critical Tiger Habitat of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Sawai Madhopur -

(ii)      For all other places camera fee shall be 80% of fee specified in clause (i) above.

(iii)     Security Deposit, -

Note:

(1)     Feature film shall mean and include a cinema/video film in which the main theme is not directly related to wildlife and nature preservation. The film in which wildlife and forests are shown as background will only be treated as feature film.

(2)     A visit means only one trip to the Tiger Reserve/Protected Areas during the prescribed time schedule in force.

(3)     In case of entry for wildlife documentary and/or film making, duration of visit extending beyond four hours in a day, additional entrance fee for vehicle or boat shall be twice of the rate prescribed at clause (B) of sub-rule (3)

(4)     Permission for item number (a), (b), (c) and (d) of clause (C) of sub-rule (3) i.e. for professional photography/filming would need to be taken from Competent Authority.

(5)     The revised rates shall remain in force till 31.03.2024 and thereafter, the rate would automatically increase @10% once in two years (rounded to next five rupees) from 01.04.2024 onwards, till further complete revision revisit of rates is done.

(6)     No fee shall be payable by the Government Servant who enters a Critical Tiger Habitat, National Park and other Protected Areas on duty.

(7)     Chief Wild Life Wardenor PCCF (HoFF), as the case may be, in the interest of Critical Tiger Habitat, National Park or other Protected Areas may exempt any person from payment of any fee.

(8)     No entrance fee and additional fee shall be charged from the Indian Citizen entering the Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary on the mela days of every year i.e. from two days before to one day after Amavasya of Jyestha Mas.

(9)     No entrance fee and additional fee shall be charged from the Indian Citizen entering Sariska Tiger Reserve for pilgrimage to Pandupole on Tuesday, Saturday and the day of the full moon and also on the two 'mela' days of Pandupole and Bhartrihari and on the days preceding and following these mela' days.

(D)     Refund of entry fee:-

Refund towards cancellation of Entrance fee, Additional Entrance fee, Eco Development Surcharge, Camera fee shall be made at following rate:-

Note: In case cancellation is made by the visitor when booking is not confirmed or is in waiting list, an amount of rupees 100/- plus tax levied shall be retained and all other amount deposited shall be refunded."