Chandrapur | Visitors will not be allowed inside the core areas of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) from June 30 to September 30, with forest officials asserting that the annual monsoon closure is necessary for wildlife conservation and tourist safety.

Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director P N Shukla said on Tuesday that all buffer tourism gates and buffer tourism areas will remain open for visitors during this period, though it will depend on weather conditions and administrative instructions issued from time to time.

The core areas will remain out of bounds for tourists between June 30 and September 30 during the rainy season. The move is aimed at wildlife conservation and the safety of visitors, said officials.

Shukla also dismissed claims that the website of the TATR was hacked. He urged people to use mytadoba.mahaforest.gov.in for online bookings. Earlier, a social media post had claimed that someone was illegally selling 80 per cent of the online tickets.

The senior forest official called the claim false. Considering the defamatory nature of the post, a police complaint has been lodged, he added.