Wild animals too need privacy for mating. Recognising this, the Jharkhand forest department has decided to close the Betla National Park to tourists during the mating season July 1-Sep 30 so the animals have congenial atmosphere.
"The Betla National Park will be closed from July 1 to Sep 30 considering the monsoon and mating of the wild animals staying in the park," reads a notice put on the gate of the park.
"The decision to close the park was taken due to several reasons. We want to provide privacy to wild animals particularly to the tigers for mating. The number of tigers is declining very fast and their mating is must to maintain their numbers," an official of the Betla National Park told IANS on telephone.
Thousands of tourists visit the Betla National Park, which has elephants, tigers and other wild animals, every month.