The move, which is likely to affect tourist flow to the Gujarat's most favoured destination, was taken following a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the State Forest Department recently, hiking room and food tariff at the scenic Sinh Sadan. This means even a day at the sanctuary is likely to pinch the tourist. The Department has especially targeted foreigners by making separate dollar tariff lists for them.

The tariff is now almost equal to that of a two-star hotel. Lodging charges for non-AC rooms have been raised from Rs 150 per room to Rs 575 -- an increase of 400 per cent.

Sasan Deputy Conservator of Forest V P Pathi told The Indian Express, ``This hike in charges is according to GR issued on May 1, 1999. It was implemented at Sinh Sadan from May 19. Accordingto the GR, tariff for non AC rooms will now be Rs 500 plus tax and for air-conditioned room, it will be Rs 1,000 plus tax.''

He said that foreigners were now being charged in dollars. Room tariffs for foreigners are $30 for a non-AC room and $50 for AC room.

The Forest Department has raised tariffs for other facilities also. The charges for carrying a still camera into the sanctuary has been raised from Rs 10 to Rs 50 while it is $5 for foreigners. For a video camera, the charges have been hiked to Rs 2,500 and $200 respectively. Guide charges are now Rs 50 and $ 10. For carrying professional film cameras, one has to shell out Rs 20,000 and $ 1,000. The excursion jeep charges have also been hiked to Rs 100 per head.

Dining at the Rest House will also prove a costly affair. Vegetarian lunch and dinner charges have been hiked to Rs 70 from the earlier Rs 25 while non-vegetarian food will be Rs 110.

Besides the forest rest house, Sasan Gir has Hotel Taj and Hotel Maneland, which are both very costly andbeyond the reach of tourists on shoestring budgets.

According to Khatubhai Thakkar of Maneland Group of Hotels, ``Our rates are seasonal. We charge Rs 3,000 for non-AC rooms during the peak season while it can come down to just Rs 1,500 including food during the slack.'' Hotel Taj has tariff charges of Rs 1,930 plus tax (around Rs 2,250) for non-AC rooms and Rs 3,335 for AC rooms.

The Forest Department has decided to hike the tariffs in view of the huge cost incurred towards maintenance of Sinh Sadan. V P Pathi told The Indian Express, ``Actually maintenance charges of Sinh Sadan are much more than its income and it was running at a loss for several years. According to latest figures, its losses have reached Rs 5 to 7 lakh a year, prompting the Government to hike charges.''

Forest officials said that while tariffs have been hiked, the Department is also making efforts to provide proper facilities. ``From the next opening season of the sanctuary from October 15, we plan to provide television setsin rooms apart from phones, carpets etc. Quality of food will also be improved,'' they said.