‘Booking agents’ fleece Tadoba safari enthusiasts in the name of VIP quota – ET TravelWorld

Tiger safari enthusiasts seeking entry to Tadoba National Park through routes other than the official website need to be alert. It has been found that so-called tourism agents are misusing letter pads of political leaders to secure access to tiger safaris in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).

Recently, a Nagpur couple and their Mumbai guests were cheated by an agent from Chandrapur who claimed to secure safari entry into the core area under the VIP quota. The tourists were lucky to get their money back.

Though the TATR in Chandrapur district has a booking window of 120 days, the park is always packed with tourists due to almost guaranteed tiger sightings. Unable to get the booking, Tushar Dandekar from Nagpur, using a reference from a relative, approached a Chandrapur-based agent, Saurabh Thombre, on October 26 and booked two safari entries from Mohurli gate for November 6, 2024.

Dandekar said that as the agent assured him of confirmed entry through the VIP quota, he transferred INR 20,000 online to Thombre’s number. “Assuming the safari to be confirmed, my family and guests, for whom I made the plan, booked a resort in Mohurli and spent almost another INR 50,000 on logistics and travel tickets,” said Dandekar.

“However, to my shock, when we settled in the resort on November 5 around 9.15 pm, I received a call from the Tadoba office that both the safaris I booked through Thombre were canceled,” said Dandekar.

Surprisingly, the VIP booking for two entries for Dandekar was sought on the letter pad of MLC Sudhakar Adbale, Nagpur, by his secretary, Hitesh Gohokar. Seeking entry for Dandekar on an MLC’s letter pad raises doubt about whether the agents and the MLC’s staff are misusing public representatives’ names to earn money.

Talking to TOI, MLC Adbale said, “I do not know about the entry for Dandekars on my letterhead. We do seek VIP entry if the person is a genuine VIP. I will confirm and let you know.” However, Adbale’s PA, Gohokar, confirmed he sought entry for Dandekars as the request came from one of the political activists. Gohokar had no answer when asked how far it is justified to seek entry on a VIP’s letter pad when an assembly election model code of conduct is in force.

However, when the entry was canceled, a shocked Dandekar talked to Thombre, who confirmed that all his 40 bookings on the same day were canceled, and he was ready to provide an entry in the buffer zone. “I refused as I already paid INR 20,000 for the core area, though the entry fee is INR 13,000 for two rounds. The arrogant agent dared us to do whatever we wanted,” Dandekar said.

“Left with no option, we talked to the TATR staffer. They asked me to lodge a formal complaint. After a complaint, they considered our requests and provided two entries from Mohurli on November 6. Though I was lucky to get back the refund from Thombre, there may be many who are fleeced by such agents,” said Dandekar.

The incident highlights the growing menace of unauthorised agents exploiting tourists seeking safari experiences at TATR. The field director’s office has appealed to tourists to make bookings through the official website (www.mytadoba.mahaforest.gov.in) only.

Local resort owners around Tadoba have also expressed concern about such fraudulent practices affecting genuine tourists. “These incidents tarnish the reputation of Tadoba tourism. Many guests face disappointment due to fake bookings,” said a section of resort owners.