2 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 5, 2026 21:45 IST
Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal has urged the forest department to allow non-vegetarian food in its rest houses located within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
Jaiswal said the decade-old “vegetables only” rule is pushing tourists toward private resorts that offer broader dining options.
In a letter to Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Jaiswal described the ban on non-vegetarian food as “inappropriate” and a financial setback for government-run facilities.
However, he stated that the alcohol ban should remain in force.
Jaiswal claimed that forest rest houses were losing revenue as visitors opted for private lodges that offered various menus. The proposal was first sent to the Forest Department in August 2025, but reportedly received little response, prompting the minister to send a follow-up communication seeking action.
Following this, on January 27, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rishikesh Ranjan sought comments from regional forest offices on the proposal.
Forest officials have expressed reservations. “Allowing non-vegetarian food in these zones may undermine wildlife protection objectives. The original ban was also intended to prevent wild animals from being attracted to human settlements within the forest areas,” a senior official said.
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The ban on non-vegetarian food in forest rest houses was introduced in January 2005 by the then Forest Minister Babanrao Pachpute. Alcohol was banned in these facilities that same year, in May 2005.