Gujjar protest hits tourism at Sariska National Park in Alwar

ALWAR - Tourists are avoiding visiting Sariska National Park in Rajasthan Alwar district due to the prolonged stir by Gujjars for reclassification and reservation of jobs.

Interacting with mediapersons, the guides at the Sariska National Park, said their business, which had increased when tigers were relocated in the park has been experiencing downslide and almost come to a halt.

“As tigers came to our reserve, the tourist inflow increased by 50 percent but with the Gujjar community’s prolonged protest, our 99 percent business has been affected because there are no tourists. All the rail and road links are blocked because of which the tourists are not able to reach here,” said Ramphool, a guide in the Sariska National Park.

Some tourists have been stuck in the park and some who are willing to come to the park are not able to reach because of the road and rail blockade due to the Gujjars stir.

“Well, right now we are stuck here. I came in a taxi and we can’t get back to the hotel because the road is blocked. So, we will have to find an alternative to get back and then two days ago I had a train ticket from Raipur and when I went to the train station in Raipur, the train is (was) cancelled,” said Michelle, an Australian tourist.

“So, then I have to go to the bus station, to get on the local bus and it took much longer than the train and then tomorrow, I had (have) to go to Delhi but they told me the road is also blocked and the train is blocked, so I am not sure how I am going to Delhi,” she added.

The members of Gujjar community who have blocked vital train routes passing through Rajasthan are demanding five percent reservation in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions. By Fayaz Ahmad (ANI)