Tourists Face Queues for Dooars Safaris Amid Delay in Resumption of Online Booking

MP, September 18, 2026, Alipurduar: The absence of online booking has left tourists facing long queues at Forest Department counters across the Dooars, with visitors waiting for hours to obtain forest entry permits by paying in cash.

Since the forests reopened on September 16, long queues have been seen every morning at safari booking counters, triggering confusion and complaints of inconvenience and harassment.

Tourism operators said many tourists unable to secure safari tickets are returning without entering the forests, adversely affecting hotels, resorts and other tourism-related businesses across the Dooars.

Online booking has not yet resumed for forest entry permits and jeep safaris, although the facility is available for elephant safaris at Jaldapara and Gorumara. However, elephant safaris are relatively expensive, making jeep safaris the preferred choice for most tourists. A jeep can accommodate up to six people, allowing visitors to explore the forest at a comparatively lower cost.

Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon had earlier announced that online booking would resume along with the reintroduction of entry fees at the beginning of the new forest tourism season. The Forest Department has completed work to upgrade its online portal, officials said.

Forest Department sources pointed out that the announcement to withdraw entry fees was made by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during an administrative meeting in Alipurduar on January 22, 2025. The Forest Department subsequently suspended its online safari booking system.

Now, the current Chief Minister is expected to give the green signal for the resumption of online booking from Alipurduar on September 22.

The suspension also affected the Joint Forest Management system. Earlier, 40% of the revenue collected from entry fees was handed over to Joint Forest Management Committees for development work in forest villages.

According to Forest Department sources, online booking is expected to resume from Alipurduar on September 22. Officials said the inconvenience is likely to ease once the system becomes operational.

Courtesy and Source: Millennium Post