Guides and Lines

Ranthambore National Park authorities now plan an additional written test to screen applicants for the job of guides.

Park officials and tour guides at Ranthambore National Park seem to be at loggerheads. There have been complaints by foreign tourists about guides not being fluent enough in English and also ignorant about local flora and fauna. Park authorities have now decided to have an additional written test to screen applicants for the job of guides. But the decision hasn’t gone down well with the 120 odd guides that work in the park. In a meeting last week, the Ranthambore Nature Guides Association was of the view that since they had already cleared the forest department’s eligibility course, there was no need for an additional examination.