In A First, Maharashtra’s Tadoba Tiger Safari To Get Women Drivers

After women claimed their space as a driver in state-run buses, women are set to become Gypsy drivers taking tourists on tiger safaris in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). For the first time in Maharashtra, women are entering the male-dominated field of Gypsy drivers. The reserve reportedly has 30 women employed as guides but not as drivers. 

TATR Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF) organised intensive training for the women living in nearby areas. The training was held under the project Bharari. Deputy Director of TATR, Nandkishore Kale, spoke to TOI, he said, "The project is part of Tadoba’s livelihood for sustainable development mission. The United Nations also has adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of which one is to achieve gender equality and empower girls and women.” 

Tadoba Tiger Safari To Get Women Drivers

As per Kale, the local girls demanded the opportunity to become Gypsy drivers. Safari Gypsy driver is a male-dominated field, for now, Tadoba core and buffer zone have 500 Gypsys run all by men. The primary job is to ride visitors from resorts to safari and back. 

This might be the first experiment in Maharashtra, but earlier Satpuda Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh hired women drivers for safari. The women Gypsy stands out because reserves, national parks, and safaris employed women as naturalists but not as drivers. 

In the TOI report, Kale also added TATR in collaboration with a local driving school will be training the women for a month and help them acquire permanent licences. Kale also claimed the park of spending Rs. 6,000 per candidate. However, the job roles of women might differ- some will be hired as resort drivers to pick and drop guests. A few will be hired as safari drivers. 

Kale said, "Driving will also boost the confidence of the women and bring empowerment. Besides, ecotourism safari will be the most secure and safe job for them." 

The project Bharari is said to be a brainchild of field director Dr. Jitendra Ramgaonka launched at Khutwanda on June 25, Sunday amid fanfare. The project plans to train 60 women in the 18-35 age group. The first phase includes women from nearby areas of Khutwanda, Ghosari, and Sitarampeth. Later, the second batch from Kolara, Satara, Bamangaon, Bhamdeli, Kondegaon, and Mohurli will follow. The environmental education officer, TATR, Prafulla Sawarkar claimed of receiving 84 applications out of which 61 belong to different tribal groups. 

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