FRI reopens, entry fee for Indians rises from Rs 20 to Rs 100

Dehradun: The Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun reopened to visitors on Monday after nearly four months, with entry fees revised for the first time in around eight years, officials said. Around 1,400 visitors arrived on the first day after reopening.The institute had closed its gates to tourists in Jan due to a transition in security arrangements. The closure affected both visitors and film producers, given FRI’s dual identity as a forestry research institution and one of north India’s most sought-after filming locations.Richa Misra, in-charge director of FRI, said security arrangements had been strengthened, requiring additional expenditure amid a steady rise in visitor footfall. “The updated system will help ensure a smoother and more secure experience for genuine visitors while maintaining the academic and professional environment of the campus, where classes and official work continue during tourist visiting hours,” she said.Under the revised fee structure, Indian nationals will pay Rs 100 for entry, up from Rs 20, while the fee for foreign nationals has increased from Rs 150 to Rs 1,000. Entry to the FRI museum has been fixed at Rs 150 for Indian visitors and Rs 500 for foreign nationals. Charges for children and school groups have been set at Rs 30 and Rs 50, respectively.Vehicle entry charges have also been revised to Rs 300 for buses and trucks, Rs 150 for private cars and taxis, Rs 100 for auto-rickshaws and Rs 50 for two-wheelers.Established in 1906 and spread across more than 450 hectares in the Doon Valley, FRI is among the country’s oldest forestry research institutions. The campus is known for its colonial-era architecture and has served as a filming location for several Indian films and web series.