Vehicles banned at Asola Bhatti sanctuary to prevent disturbance and ecological damage

Private vehicles will no longer be permitted into the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi's chief wildlife warden has ordered, taking cognisance of an HT report in January that highlighted how hundreds of vehicles were entering the sanctuary on weekends to reach a lake 16-km inside.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

HT reported on January 16 how hundreds of visitors were turning up and driving into the sanctuary, which is home to leopards, striped hyenas, and golden jackals.

When HT visited the spot, dozens of cars had choked the way to Neeli Jheel, which has emerged as popular eco-tourism attraction over the past year with artificial waterfalls and landscaped gardens.

Officials aware of the matter said on Sunday that the chief wildlife warden Suneesh Buxy sent the directive to the deputy conservator of forests (South), barring the entry of outside vehicles to the sanctuary and asking for standard operating procedures (SOP) for guided tours inside the facility.