Rakul Preet Singh's controversy at Gir National Park: 5 things travellers should know about rules for visiting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

Actor Rakul Preet Singh recently found herself at the centre of a social media controversy after videos from her visit to Gir National Park went viral online. In the clips, the actor was seen outside a safari vehicle inside the forest area, triggering criticism from social media users who questioned whether wildlife tourism rules had been violated and whether celebrities were receiving special treatment in protected zones. Following the backlash, forest department officials clarified that the actor had stepped out only at a designated location and under the supervision of authorised staff members. A statement from the DCF Sasan-Gir (@dcfsasangir) helped clarify the confusion, “This video being broadcast is from outside the campus gate and is not from the restricted area.” Officials reportedly stated that no wildlife protection norms had been breached and that the visuals circulating online were being interpreted without proper context.The occurrence has served as a reminder of the stringent rules and guidelines that apply to the act of tourism within the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India. Tourism in wildlife sites has been one of the fastest-growing tourist categories in India, with places like Jim Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Gir attracting lakhs of tourists annually. Nonetheless, these forests constitute environmentally delicate regions where tourism can be practiced only under controlled circumstances. Forest authorities in India impose stringent laws not only for protection of the environment but for the safety of tourists as well.Wild animals are unpredictable creatures whose behavior can change due to human presence, human noise, and even human movements. Animals can change their habits when they are being observed. Any form of disturbance can influence them, especially when they are in their breeding periods or when they are eating and sleeping. It has been advised on several occasions that there ought to be a focus on observation and preservation rather than interaction in wildlife tourism.lifestIn most Indian wildlife sanctuaries, it is usually advised that tourists always stay within authorised safari vehicles until the forest authorities give explicit permission for doing otherwise. This is usually a safety measure intended to prevent unnecessary disturbance to the animals and any possible danger from unexpected reactions from predators or other wildlife due to human interaction.Usually, tourists are advised to be quiet during their tour in Indian forests. Any shouting or music-making, clapping, or efforts by the tourists to attract animals in order to photograph them is not advisable since such activities cause noise pollution in the forest which interferes with wildlife.Feeding the animals is also discouraged because it is harmful to wildlife in Indian national parks. Human food is not only harmful to animal life but also makes the animal lose its natural instincts.Most of the parks and wildlife sanctuaries have strict no littering guidelines. Litter like plastic bottles, wrappers, etc., can be harmful for the animals as well as the environment. Some national parks even prohibit visitors from using any kind of single-use plastic. Travellers are advised to use reusable water bottles and bring their own waste along with them.National parks are functional during certain timings as decided by the forest department and the safari vehicles have to follow only authorised tracks in the jungle. Straying from the set track might end up damaging the fragile ecosystem in the park and affect the animal life as well. The visitors should follow the instructions given by the guide and the driver during the safari.Since wildlife tourism is gaining popularity in India, there is an increasing need for the tourists to follow the norms that would help conserve the forests. It should always be remembered that the national parks are protected ecosystems before anything else. The visitors should always try and follow the guidelines for preserving our nature for future generations.