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Message: <blockquote data-quote="richard jb" data-source="post: 1755375" data-attributes="member: 72753">September is early in the season for Bharatpur. When we were there large coach parties arrived daily and we saw all of the rickshaws with customers at some point. The guides were also busy. It is typically Indian that there are far too many staff. To be quite honest with you I don't believe for a minute that your guide and driver only take 200Rs or less per person. Did you tip them extra by any chance?Maybe the guides, who are trying to earn a living from the park, could act in a ranger capacity if they are so short of guiding work? There is a huge problem with gathering firewood, and it is tolerated. There are motorbike patrols around the park, but they ignore the wood cutters. In retrospect I wish I had taken photos of just how blatant and widespread this activity was.This is the best reason not to hire a guide. Most of the park is only accessible on foot. The paths are excellent and extensive. I was in the park at first light every morning and left at dark. I carried a lot of water! You can explore the whole park, and if you want a chance of Jungle Cat for example, this is the way to do it. I only walked down the main central trail to get back quickly at the end of each day.<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Drying-Bharatpur-may-lose-its-heritage-tag-/articleshow/5346111.cms" target="_blank">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Drying-Bharatpur-may-lose-its-heritage-tag-/articleshow/5346111.cms</a>There seems to be no shortage of water anywhere else in the region. Locals take the wood, farmers take the water. Maybe revoking the designation would prompt action to restore the park to a worthy state.</blockquote>

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