Tadoba may soon change all safari vehicles to electric

Nagpur: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is preparing a proposal to shift all tourist vehicles operating in the reserve to electric power. The plan is to replace petrol-run Gypsys that collectively are estimated to consume over 1,000 litres of fuel every day.The push to go electric has gathered steam following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call to conserve fuel. Senior forest officials told TOI that just over 300 vehicles are currently engaged in tourism inside TATR, almost all running on petrol. The average circuit route is 35 km, and many of the vehicles are old, with spare parts becoming increasingly difficult to procure.The proposal will also include suggestions on financing options to help local vehicle owners fund the purchase of brand-new electric vehicles, with participation from state and central govt agencies as well as private stakeholders.TATR field director Prabhu Nath Shukla said, “Many of the Gypsys are now outdated and not being made any more. Their maintenance has become harder as spare parts are not that easily available, plus the wear and tear takes a toll on the vehicles.” The fact that these vehicles are off-roading all the time puts added pressure on the ageing machine. With an mileage in single digits, the cost of fuel also climbs up fast, considering that each vehicle on the safari circuit is clocking over 30 kms. With govt’s focus on providing livelihood to people in the nearby villages, the economic impact of purchasing new vehicles is also being studied. Shukla said, “An electric vehicle could probably cost Rs15 lakh or more, so we have to see how these people can afford it. That is why we are planning how other stakeholders can be roped in to share the burden. “Wildlife tourism is a major source of employment for the primarily tribal community in the area, which is why the shift to cleaner fuel has to be looked into keeping their affordability factor in mind,” he said.