Tourists visiting Gir National Park may soon have to pay more than double for a safari, as the Gujarat Forest Department is considering a major increase in permit fees from the upcoming tourist season.
The proposal is being finalised and comes 11 years after the last revision. Officials said the increase is aimed at boosting revenue as tourist numbers continue to rise. The department is also comparing safari charges in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra before taking a final decision.Gir, the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion, remains closed during the monsoon. The safari season, which ends on June 15, is scheduled to reopen on October 16.
Under the proposed rates, the online permit fee for a six-seater safari could increase from Rs 800 to around Rs 1,800. For foreign tourists, the fee may rise from $80 (around Rs 7,600) to $125 (around Rs 11,800).The permit fee is only one part of the total safari cost. Tourists currently pay an additional Rs 400 for a guide and around Rs 6,200 for the safari vehicle.
The department is also considering introducing eight-seater vehicles on an experimental basis. These vehicles may operate on a sharing model, allowing two or three groups to travel together. The permit fee for such vehicles is expected to be above Rs 2,000, with their continuation depending on tourist response and operational challenges.
Tatkal and premium permits are also being planned, with charges expected to start at more than Rs 20,000.For visitors looking for a longer forest experience, the department has proposed a six-hour morning safari that would include birdwatching. The package, expected to cost more than Rs 50,000, would be introduced for the first time.
A similar package has been proposed at Devaliya Safari Park, combining an AC bus ride, trekking and birdwatching. It is expected to cost Rs 1,500 per person.In a move that could benefit tourists, the department has proposed removing the separate fee for individual cameras. At present, visitors pay Rs 200 per camera. Officials said the widespread use of mobile phone cameras has reduced the number of tourists carrying professional cameras.
However, commercial shoots are likely to become costlier. Fees for wildlife documentaries, feature films and television serials are expected to increase by around 40 per cent.If approved, the new structure will give tourists more safari options at Gir, but many of them will come with significantly higher cos