The Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh has decided to double the entry fee for wildlife parks and sanctuaries for Indian visitors from Rs 150 to Rs 300. This move has stirred controversy and drawn backlash for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government’s financial policies. The state, gearing up for Assembly elections next year, has also raised the entry charges for foreign nationals to Rs 600, marking a 100% increase, as stated by a BJP leader.
The BJP National Spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, criticized the Congress government, attributing the financial strain to Rahul Gandhi’s economic model. He accused the government of burdening the people of Himachal Pradesh with increased fees for accessing wildlife sanctuaries and forest areas. According to a BJP leader, under the Congress rule, Himachal Pradesh relies on borrowing, taxing its citizens, and demanding payment for its inefficiencies.
The decision to hike the entry fee was formalized through a notification issued by Chief Secretary-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) K.K. Pant. Additionally, the charges for professional photography and cinematography in these protected zones have also been raised. Opposition leaders from the BJP link this fee escalation to the Congress government’s escalating debt and financial strain resulting from fulfilling populist promises and offering freebies.
The BJP further claims that Himachal Pradesh is among the most debt-stressed states in the country. Chief Minister Sukhu informed the Legislative Assembly that the state’s total debt had surpassed Rs 1.01 lakh crore by January 31, 2026. In the state’s Budget Estimate for 2025-26, a significant portion, nearly 70%, was allocated for salaries, pensions, interest payments, and debt servicing. A BJP leader criticized the government for prioritizing financial survival over effective governance, emphasizing the burden placed on citizens for observing this state of affairs.
The BJP leader highlighted the wildlife sanctuary fee increase as part of a broader trend of cost-shifting by the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh. This decision follows previous instances of financial burden-shifting, including fare hikes, subsidy rollbacks, tariff increases, and cess introductions. The BJP also pointed out various corruption scandals under the Sukhu government, such as the mining scam, fake card scandals, and tender irregularities involving the state electricity board.
