Travellers Codes for Visitors
As a visitor to one of the India's parks or sanctuaries we would urge you to consider:
a) Using a TOFT member to arrange your travel or accommodation in each area. Our PUG Rating helps you identofy the best providers, but all have made a committment to work within certain 'best practice' codes. Click here to take you to members
b) Enjoy your willdife travels within the Travellers Codes laid down. Dowload our Travellers leaflet from here
c) Ask you agents or Tour Operator for a Visitors Feedback Form to help us with our PUG ranking of lodges. Download the Visitors Feedback from here
d) One way for you to engage in tiger conservation is to take photos of wild tigers you see on your holiday vacation, and to then to share the images with tiger researchers through our website link with Save the Tiger Fund in the US. This will help us to keep a track of which reserves still have tigers, and because of their unique stripe-patterns, we could even count tigers in a reserve based on photos that you submit. Click here to report a wild tiger sighting.
TOFT TRAVELLERS CODES
Visitors to India’s wild places will help to conserve the natural environment and assure their safe and enjoyable stay by following these simple rules.
- Act with courtesy and respect to local people, the authorities and to other visitors.
- Do not disturb wildlife or ask guiding staff to get you closer than is necessary or advisable to wild animals. Report to park staff immediately if you see any irresponsible behaviour or driving off road.
- Make as little noise as possible when in park areas, especially while watching wildlife.
- Avoid litter at all times.
- Act with sensitivity regarding the dress code of the host nation. You are a visitor and will be treated as a guest if you show respect.
- Avoid taking excessive photographs, being intrusive with the camera and insensitive to those you are photographing. Always ask permission. A number of our ventures will have accomplished photographers on them and slides and pictures can be duplicated for participants to keep. Close up photographs of people should ONLY be taken by cameras with long lenses, unless express permission is granted by the subject.
- Endeavour to learn a few key phrases of the language of your hosts.
- Take time to get to know and understand your hosts when the opportunity arises.
- Do not buy, collect or trade in wildlife products. It is frequently illegal and can lead to prosecution.
- Adhere to national and local rules and regulations inside protected areas.
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