Ban on tourism: Shops closed in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve area

The protesters said the ban would hit their livelihood as they depended on tourism.

Nearly 200 jeeps, which usually ferried the tourists and locals for sight seeing, were also lying idle, without business for the last two days, Bokkan, a shopkeeper, said.

With no arrival of tourists in the wake of the government implementing the July 24 supreme court order banning tourism activities in the core areas of tiger reserves, all shopkeepers and jeep drivers had to go without income in the past two days, he said.

The drivers used to take tourists to nearby Bandipur in Karnataka, which was also now closed, he said.

The fate of guides and workers, particularly cooks, in the resorts and cottages, meant for tourists, was no different, as they were also sitting idle for the last two days.

Meanwhile, the authorities have stopped the Elephant Safari in Theppakkad, a major attraction for tourists, particularly foreigners.

The apex court ordered the ban taking strong note of some states, including Tamil Nadu, failing to implement its directions to conserve tigers.