Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary introduces strict rules to protect habitat

Rajgir: The Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, a vital ecological area in Bihar, has introduced stringent regulations to curb activities threatening its wildlife and habitat. The new measures, which include fines for violations such as illegal parking, smoking, and improper waste disposal, aim to address the impact of increasing tourist numbers.

District Forest Officer (DFO) Rajkumar M stated, “Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is home to diverse species of wildlife, and their habitats were increasingly under threat. These rules are necessary to ensure their protection and preserve the sanctuary’s ecological balance.”

Fines for violations several penalties have been introduced for activities deemed harmful to the sanctuary

• Illegal parking: Rs 3000 for buses, Rs 2000 for cars.

• Smoking: Rs 2000.

• Campfires: Rs 3000.

• Feeding wildlife: Rs1000.

• Improper disposal of plastic: Rs 1000.

• Illegal entry beyond designated routes: Rs 2000.

• Carrying illegal weapons: Rs 25,000.

• Transporting banned items: Rs 5000.

• Damaging signboards or information boards: Rs 2000.

Vehicle restrictions and other rules

The sanctuary has banned the entry of commercial vehicles between 9 am and 7 pm and imposed a speed limit of 20 km per hour within the forest. Unnecessary use of vehicle horns will attract a fine of Rs 2000. Additionally, single-use plastics have been prohibited in the area to reduce pollution.

The new rules reflect an urgent response to the growing human footprint in the sanctuary. By enforcing these measures, authorities aim to strike a balance between promoting tourism and conserving the sanctuary’s unique ecosystem.