Karnataka Forest and Environment Minister Ishwar Khander on Thursday defended the government’s decision to temporarily halt wildlife safari operations in Bandipur and Nagarhole national parks last November, saying the measure was necessary to prevent further loss of human lives in the wake of a series of attacks on wildlife.
The suspension, which lasted from November 7 to February 21, resulted in a loss of revenue estimated at approximately $6 crore for the two prominent wildlife sanctuaries, according to information submitted in the association. Bandipur Tiger Reserve represents approx $2.5 lakh crore loss, while Nagarhole Tiger Reserve saw appreciation $The company’s profits decreased by 3.5 crores during the period
The issue was raised during a question-and-answer session in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, where Opposition Leader R Ashoka criticized the move, arguing that the suspension had cost the livelihoods of more than 4,000 people associated with safari tourism.
“Safaris have been going on across the country for many years and it is not right to stop safari suddenly without conducting a survey,” Ashoka said.
In response to the criticism, Khandary rejected the claim that the comment was surprising. He said the authorities took action after a series of incidents in which attacks on wildlife occurred near the forest borders. “Three precious lives were lost within 15 days last November, one of them was permanently disabled, and tigers were coming out of the forest and attacking,” Khandre said. “This step was taken to protect people’s precious lives.”
The minister told the lawmakers that farmers’ organizations had also raised concerns during a meeting held in Chamarajanagar in November. According to him, local groups complained that safari operations continued until late in the evening, resulting in heavy vehicle movement and increased tourist activity which disturbed wildlife and pushed animals out of forest areas.
“They said the safari will continue until night. There is heavy vehicular traffic. More tourists are coming, disturbing the wildlife coming from the forest. They demanded that the safari be stopped,” Khandari said.
He added that while he was in Bidar shortly after the meeting, another tiger attack occurred within a week, leading to his death. Following this incident, the government decided to temporarily suspend safari and redeploy safari staff and vehicles to monitor villages along the forest borders.
Bandipur alone shares a 314-kilometre-long border with surrounding areas, with about 100 kilometers identified as a high conflict zone where human-wildlife interactions are frequent, Khandre said. In response, the forest department set up 25 anti-poaching camps in these divisions and deployed personnel to patrol up to 14 hours a day.
The authorities also activated a comprehensive command center to coordinate monitoring efforts during the period of escalating conflict.
Khandari said that safari operations were resumed only after these safety arrangements were put in place. The matter was also reviewed by the State Wildlife Board, headed by the Chief Minister, which constituted an expert committee that included a representative of the Central Wildlife Institute. According to the minister, safari trips have been resumed based on the committee’s preliminary findings.
The minister also highlighted the increasing number of tigers in Bandipur. “In 1972, there were only 12 tigers in Bandipur. When the census was conducted three years ago, there were 150 tigers there. Now the number of tigers is 175,” he said.
He added that a committee of experts is currently studying the carrying capacity of the forest, noting that while the numbers of wildlife have increased, the forest area has not expanded. “The forest is not increasing. Rather, it is decreasing,” Khandari told the assembly.
He said that as part of future measures, the foundation that manages safari revenues has been advised to allocate 35% of its income to programs in villages along the forest edges. These funds will support public awareness meetings, education initiatives, infrastructure development, and job generation in those communities.
