A tourist boat in Bhitarkanika. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Feb. 11: Waking up to Hirakud boat tragedy, authorities of the Bhitarkanika National Park have made it mandatory for private boat operators to carry life jackets for tourists’ safety.

“Directions have been issued to the operators to abide by the safety guidelines. Any act of defiance would force the department to terminate the permit given to them to operate along the Bhitarkanika water bodies,” said officer of the Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division Kedar Kumar Swain.

At present, 27 private mechanised crafts are on the job of carrying the tourists towards the wetland spots and mangrove sites of the national park. The inland water transport department of the state government sanctions fitness certificates to them after which they are entitled to move with permit of the forest department. Besides, three motorised boats of the forest department have also been pressed into service for the purpose.

All the boats in operation in the Bhitarkanika areas are having valid fitness certificates. On any given day, 350 to 400 tourists make voyage on water bodies by these boats. The department is intent on ensuring the travellers’ safety, he said.

“All boats should be equipped with life jackets. Tourists were instructed to wear life jackets. The official said the forest department had provided life jackets and life buoys to all the three forest department-owned boats,” said Kendrapara collector Ratnakar Rout.

Rout also asked all private boat owners, mostly carrying tourists to Hukitola, Batighar, Jamboo, Madali, Ekkakula and other eco-tourism spots to provide life-saving jackets to the travellers.