Van Vihar Becomes No-Vehicle Zone for State-Level Wildlife Week

Bhopal: The State-Level Wildlife Week, scheduled from October 1 to 7 at Van Vihar National Park, will see the park enforcing a No Vehicle Zone starting with its inauguration on October 1. This step aims to curb vehicle pollution and ensure a quieter environment for both wildlife and visitors.

Under the new system, private vehicles will not be allowed inside the park. Instead, 40 golf carts will ferry tourists: 32 on a hop-on-hop-off basis and 8 six-seater carts available for advance bookings of up to three hours. Carts will operate from both entry gates every 10 minutes, stopping briefly at designated viewpoints for sightseeing.

Visitors can also enjoy walking tours or use bicycles—their own, rented, or from the park. Additionally, the herbivore safari will remain open, and the park plans to introduce 150 new bicycles soon.

To streamline entry, tourists will be given biodegradable wristbands of different colours. Special parking arrangements at minimal fees have also been made.

Van Vihar assistant director Dr. Ruhi Haque said the initiative is expected to positively impact visitors and wildlife while contributing to a pollution-free environment at the park.