New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- After remaining closed for nearly three months during the monsoon, reserved forests across West Bengal reopened to tourists on Wednesday, September 16. From Friday, tourists will again have to pay the earlier prescribed entry fee, while road tax for tourist vehicles entering forest roads will also be reintroduced.

The move is expected to increase the cost of forest trips but restore an important source of revenue for the Forest Department. Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon, however, indicated that entry fees may be reduced at some destinations after a review.

"The entry fees currently being charged are the same as those levied earlier. However, the Forest Department has formed a committee to review the matter.

The committee members will examine the existing fee structure and submit their recommendations to us. Based on those recommendations, there is a possibility that entry fees may be reduced at some forest destinations. We expect to receive the committee's report very soon," Oraon said.

On January 22, 2025, then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the withdrawal of entry fees in reserved forests during an administrative meeting at Alipurduar's Parade Ground. According to Forest Department sources, the decision led to revenue losses running into several crores of rupees over the past one-and-a-half years.

The shortfall also affected the joint forest management system, with several Forest Protection Committees and Eco-Development Committees reportedly unable to receive their annual share of revenue. With the reopening, tourist footfall is expected to increase across the Dooars and other forest destinations in North Bengal. Meanwhile, the Gorumara Wildlife Division held a meeting at the Lataguri Nature Interpretation Centre on Wednesday. ADFO Rajib Dey and representatives of gypsy owners, drivers, guides and resort owners discussed fee collection, road tax, online booking and tourist services.

"Until the online booking system is fully operational, services will be provided manually through Forest Department counters. Once the online system is launched, all prescribed fees can be paid online," Dey said.

Shantanu Ghosh of the Lataguri Resort Owners' Association stressed the need for improved forest services and better training for safari guides.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.