Effect of tourist safari in activity and behaviour of Chital (Axis axis) and Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in Jim Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand.

Abstract

Tourism in a National Park is a best giftfor nature lovers as they see the great and diverse vegetation, dense forest, river side area, seasonal rivers, natural sot, small hills areas, large chour (grassland) and most adventurous is to see the wild animals in their natural habitat, their different activities and behaviour. This motivates tourist for wild animal’s conservation. Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest National Park famous for its diverse flora and presence of wild mammals, big carnivores, and herbivores like spotted deer (Axis axis) and Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor).Tourismgives a big revenue every year to the Government of Uttrakhand unlike gypsy safari that affects the Park animals for eight hours by 480 people every day by vehicle sound, tourist noises, camera and mobiles sound in capturing photos and making videos. It affects the alertness of deer’s, sometimes they want food items from tourists or show fear from tourists. So it may cause many changes in their behaviour and it becomes a serious problem for their population.