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Lucknow (TNN - 01 Jul 2009): Emperor Shah Jahan alone had the privilege of viewing his labour of love Taj Mahal endlessly. Others may be compelled to observe a strict time limit. In a move to regulate the growing number of footfalls in this 17th century Mughal monument, authorities are now considering regulating the viewing time allowed on a single ticket. Even as the local tourism industry bristles at the thought, the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) is said to be working out the modalities involved in the exercise.

On an average, 2.5 million tourists are estimated to visit the Taj annually. The inflow of tourists during the peak season between October and March can be staggering—ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 domestic tourists per day in addition to 8,000 to 10,000 foreign tourists. The number, during the summer months, dips a little although the average still works out to be 12,000 to 15,000 domestic tourists and 5,000 foreign tourists according to official estimates, ASI sources told TOI.

The daily influx is adding to the wear and tear of the marble floor of the 354-yearold edifice. Though the Supreme Court has restricted the inflow after a committee appointed by the court in 1993 ordered an off day and also limited night viewing of the Taj to five days a month, apparently the measures are not enough in the longer run.signs of overuse are writ large on the monument. The ASI’s attempts in the direction are pathetic, says Rajiv Tiwari, president of the Agra Tourist Chamber. For instance, stone steps leading from the main platform to the main chamber were recently given a wooden covering to protect it from additional burden, he said. The encasing is an eyesore, but then the original steps had become too slippery due to daily human traffic leading to accidental falls.ASI has reportedly identified Unesco for carrying out the detailed study on the Taj’s capacity according to the SC directive, said sources. The exercise, yet to begin, is expected to take time. Therefore, timed tickets could offer a better solution to the problem, he added.

Kolkata (TNN - 21 Jun 2009): Two forests of eastern India have received rare accolades. The Unesco has recognised two biosphere reserves Nokrek in Meghalaya and Similipal in Orissa in its global network of biosphere reserves. Worldwide, only 22 new biosphere reserves have been recognised this year by the Unesco. Besides the two, Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh has been recognised. Unesco has 553 recognised biosphere reserves worldwide. Sunderbans, too, features on this list.

Nokrek biosphere in Tura mountain range is the second smallest biosphere reserve in India with a unique bio-diversity. Nokrek is the original home of Citrus Indica, the father of all citrus fruits. Inside Nokrek, you would find these citrus fruits in their primitive taste and form, something you wouldnt find anywhere in the world, said Dr H K Debnath, principal investigator, Lead Institute, Nokrek.

Unesco officials said the wild variety of citrus fruits may serve as a genepool for commercially produced citrus. Dr Debnath said this recognition meant a lot to the reserve. The open coal mine in the forest poses a great threat. People are engaged in mining and the area is getting broadened. This should be stopped immediately, he stressed.National Park in Orissa’s Mayurbhanj district derives its name from the magnificent Simul (silk cotton Tree) tree. The park has an area of 845.70 sq km and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda. The park is famous for its tigers, leopards, elephants and hill maynah and orchid.

Mumbai (TOI - 08 Sep 2008): In Mumbai, we are obsessed with Bollywood. Taking a cue from this, a company promoted by top American film stars has drawn up an ambitious plan to mark its presence in India by constructing a Hollywood-theme five-star hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. The plot chosen by the company is just a few hundred metres away from the landmark Hotel Taj Mahal and Tower, which is located near the Gateway of India. Planet Hollywood, whose promoters include actors Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone and which runs a chain of theme restaurants and resorts in several countries, plans to construct a 21-storey five star hotel at the end of Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba on a 5,470 sq mt plot owned by Shubh Hospitality Private Limited. The hotel is to be built jointly with M/s Shubh Hospitality. The existing building, a heritage structure owned by Shubh Hospitality, will be brought down with permission from the heritage committee.

As per the company's proposal, the hotel will have 150 rooms. There will be 12 rooms each on 13 floors. The remaining floors will house restaurants, pubs, banquet halls, conference rooms etc. Each room's size will vary from 236 sq ft to 332 sq ft. When contacted, Siddharth Mobar, who owns Planet Hollywood India, confirmed that the company has submitted a proposal to the state government. "I cannot part with more information as of now given the location of the hotel," he said.

New Delhi (TNN - 15 Jul 2008): America's keen interest in India goes beyond the nuclear deal. It has also sent the highest number of tourists to India according to data collated by the tourism ministry.

The US has replaced the UK as the country sending the largest number of tourists to India. The number of visitors from the US touched 7.99 lakh, higher than those from any other country, out of the total 50.81 lakh foreigners who came to India last year. The UK—traditionally the leader— has come a close second, sending 7.96 lakh visitors in 2007. In 2006, their number was 7.34 lakh.

Incidentally, Bangladesh often rapped for the infiltration of illegal migrants is also sending visitors to India through the legal channel' for tourism and business. It was the third highest tourist-generating country in 2007, ahead of both Canada and France. Interestingly, the number of visitors from Bangladesh has decreased from 4.84 lakh in 2006 to 4.80 lakh in 2007.

Arrivals from Canada and France have, however, shown considerable increase despite the drop in their rankings. While 2.08 lakh Cana¬dians visited India in 2007, their number was 1.76 lakh in 2006. The number of French tourists also increased from 1.75 lakh to 2.04 lakh. Sri Lanka (2.04 lakh), Germany (1.84 lakh), Japan (1.45 lakh), Australia (1.35 lakh) and Malaysia (1.12 lakh) have emerged as the top ten tourist generating markets for India. According to data compiled by the tourism ministry, foreign tourist arrivals have grown by 11.5% in 2007-08. Industry sources have pointed out that the growth of tourists in India could be much higher but for the high costs of accommodation and air travel. "In a fiercely competitive market, we are losing out to our south¬east Asian neighbours who are dealing with large volumes. India, with its diversity, can offer tourists interests ranging from adventure sports, sanctuaries, heritage sites, pilgrimage spots, beaches and mountains if it's able to exploit its potential," an industry source said.

Jaipur (TNN - 06 May 2008): The water scarcity in Rajasthan has thrown up a pleasant surprise. Thanks to the drying up of several watering holes at Ranthambore national park, some tigresses led 14 thirsty cubs to a hole, giving forest officials the first glance of the new cuddly additions to Rajasthan's dwindling tiger population.

"We have spotted at least 14 cubs in the recent past," Rajasthan chief wildlife warden R N Mehrotra told TOI, explaining that the cubs had been spotted in batches, following their mothers to ponds and reservoirs which are closely watched by wardens to keep count of endangered big cats. Rajpal Singh, a member of the state's empowered committee on forest and wildlife, said the cubs were spotted by rangers. "Most of the cubs were about three months old," he said.

Singh said generally tigresses were very protective about cubs and shield them from public glare. "But with the scorching heat, these tigresses had to take the cubs to the watering holes, enabling wildlife staff to spot the cubs," he added. He said two cubs, about 6 months old, were also spotted in the Berda area of the park. "Now the number of cubs below one year of age has increased to over a dozen and we are contemplating shifting some of them to the Sariska sanctuary as there is no tiger left there," he said.

EYE ON THE TIGER
• Rajasthan had just 32 tigers as per the last census. All in Ranthambore as Sariska had none left
• Birth of 14 cubs a big boost for state's tiger population
DWINDLING NUMBERS
The 2008 census put the no. of tigers at 1,411, a dramatic fall from 3,600 tigers in 2002

Madhya Pradesh - 300; Kerala - 46; Karnataka - 290; Orissa - 45; Maharashtra - 103; Rajasthan - 32+14; Andhra Pradesh - 95; Chhattisgarh -26; Tamil Nadu - 76; West Bengal (Except Sundarbans) - 10; Assam - 70

The discovery of the cubs will hugely impact tiger population at Rantahmbore, the lowest among parks in the recently released census report. According the census published earlier this year, Madhya Pardesh had the highest population at 300 with Rajasthan at the last spot with a mere 32 big cats. Uttarakhand (178), Karnataka (290), Assam (70) were the other states with tigers.

Wildlife experts say that the spotlight on falling tiger numbers, nationally now at 1,411, has led to tighter security in most parks that have become easy hunting grounds for poachers. "We are tracking the movement of young cubs. They are still in the process of marking their territories," said forest officer Daulat Singh Shaktawat of Ranthambore.

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