Junagadh: Forest department has issued a circular and invited the villagers from 17 villages near Sasan to run the open Gypsy car service for taking visitors to jungle safari for lion spotting.

The villages are Bhojde, Chitrod, Sangodra, Bhalchhel, Haripur, Najapur, Chhatariya, Surajgadh, Chitravad, Hiranvel, Amrapur Gir, Devgam, Jalandhar, Katrasa, Amrapaur Kathi, Gadakiya, Gundiyali and Malanka. The forest department has proposed allowing five Gypsy cars per village. If more applications are received, then the forest selection would be made through lottery.

As there is increase in number of permits issued to visitors, more vehicles are required for jungle safari. The forest department has chosen local villages for operation of more Gypsy open cars for jungle safari.

Meanwhile existing 65 Gypsy car operators have made representation before the Chief Conservator of Forest and requested him to scrap the idea as it will create more competition. They claimed only existing operators from Sasan village should be given opportunity. DeshGujarat