Pilibhit (UP), Nov 11 (IANS): The tariff for the safari and stay in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) has been increased almost tenfold by the UP Forest Corporation.

The hike comes after a gap of 12 years.

The new tariff will be applicable from November 15, when the jungle tourism season of the two tiger reserves begins.

For the first time, the forest authorities have also fixed charges for carrying cameras inside.

Forest officials said that the revision of tariff was inevitable due to the considerable increase in the maintenance cost of safari vehicles, tourists guest houses, jungle huts, canteen, operational expenses, and the salaries of the forest staff for last one decade.

Sunil Chaudhary, additional managing director of UP Forest Corporation, said that the Indian tourists will now have to pay Rs 4,400 for the stay of one person and Rs 4,900 for two persons at Katarniaghat, Motipur and Kakraha forest regions in DTR.

Earlier, the rates were Rs 300 and Rs 500, respectively. The charges for foreign tourists at here have been increased to Rs 10,900 and Rs 13,600, respectively, from the previous fare of Rs 900.

A cottage in Dudhwa will cost Rs 5,300 for one person and Rs 6,000 for two, compared with previous charges of Rs 500. Foreigners will have to pay Rs 15,400 and Rs 18,300 respectively, up from Rs 1500.

The Tharu and Tree hut at Chuka tourist spot in PTR will now cost Rs 5,000 per person and Rs 6,000 for two Indians, up from Rs 2,520 and Rs 3,780, respectively.