Ranthambore's Unbelievable Oversight: 20 Tourists Abandoned in Tiger Territory

An alarming incident has cast a shadow over Ranthambore's celebrated tiger safaris, as a group of 20 tourists found themselves abandoned in the heart of the tiger reserve by their very own guide. The shocking lapse in responsibility left the distressed tourists stranded for a harrowing 90 minutes in Zone 10 of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, prompting an immediate and stern departmental probe.

The ordeal unfolded during an afternoon safari.

The guide, whose duty was to ensure the safety and well-being of the visitors, reportedly dropped the group off for a permitted nature walk within Zone 10. However, in an inexplicable turn of events, instead of waiting to pick them up, the guide drove their canter (an open safari vehicle) to an entirely different zone – Zone 6.

The tourists, comprising both adults and children, were left bewildered and increasingly anxious as time stretched on, with no sign of their designated transport.

The situation quickly escalated from inconvenience to genuine concern. Stranded in the vast wilderness, the tourists were without access to water and, crucially, had no means of communication.

Their distress grew with every passing minute, highlighting a severe breach of safety protocols in one of India's most renowned tiger habitats. The group's ordeal only ended when another canter driver, noticing their predicament, came to their rescue and facilitated their return.

Sources within the forest department confirmed the guide's inexplicable absence, stating that he was supposed to pick up the tourists after their brief walk.

The district forest officer (DFO) of Ranthambore, Mahendra Sharma, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation and confirmed that an in-depth inquiry has been initiated. The guide involved has been promptly suspended, pending the outcome of the investigation, signaling the department's firm stance against such negligence.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of strict adherence to safety guidelines and the need for rigorous accountability in wildlife tourism.

While Ranthambore continues to be a top draw for wildlife enthusiasts, ensuring the security and well-being of visitors must remain the highest priority, preventing any recurrence of such unacceptable and potentially dangerous situations.