In a major crackdown on the illegal entry of private vehicles into the tiger reserve of Ranthambore National Park, the Forest Department in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur seized 19 vehicles, including 14 from Ranthambore National Park’s Zone 8 and five from nearby hotels, officials said.

The seized vehicles have the number plates of Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

“At least 12 to 15 vehicles entered the Rantahambore National Park on the evening of August 15 when the tiger reserve is closed during the monsoon. We are still investigating about how the tourists could enter amid tight surveillance,” Divisional Forest Officer Ramanand Bhakar said.

On the evening of August 15, more than a dozen luxury vehicles entered Ranthambore National Park for an adventure tour, despite the jungle safari being closed during the monsoon season, according to forest officials.

Only authorised vehicles like gypsies and canters are permitted for jungle safari, but the seized cars, including the variants of the Mahindra Scorpio, Thar and XUV500 entered the prohibited area. A viral video even showed people walking inside the tiger reserve, where tiger movement is reported.

After the video went viral on social media, the forest officials searched for the vehicles between Zone 6 and Zone 10, where private vehicles are not allowed. They discovered over a dozen cars in Zone 8.

Officials noted that it is highly unusual for vehicles to enter the forest zone, given the park’s surveillance and anti-poaching systems. An investigation is ongoing.

(With inputs from Sunil Joshi.)