Safari ban in Bandipur Nagarhole Sanctuary a warning to neighboring states

Bengaluru, Feb 17: In the wake of the escalating human-tiger conflict, the state government on November 7 banned tourist safaris in the popular national parks of Bandipur and Nagarhole. The closure of safaris has dealt a major blow to the livelihood of thousands of families who depend on them for their livelihood. The government's move to impose a temporary ban on safaris has now sparked debate Four villagers lost their lives and three others were injured in Mysore district in October-November due to attacks by big cats. The government imposed a ban on safaris due to anger and pressure from the villagers. Later, the forest department succeeded in capturing tigers and leopards that were attacking humans. Initially, senior forest officials of the government had said that the ban was temporary. It was said that safaris would be started in phases from December. But even as February was ending, there is no sign of the safaris starting.

Meanwhile, it has been learned that the demand for safaris in Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad forests in Kerala, which are adjacent to the above two sanctuaries, has increased. Safari and wildlife lovers are enjoying sister safaris in hotels and resorts there, tourism department sources said. According to members of the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Resorts Association (AEKHIKHAM), the neighboring states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are benefiting from the suspension of safaris in the state.

About 35 resorts operating in the Bandipur-Nagarhole area are registered with the AEKHIKHAM, and are losing an average of Rs 3 crore per day, said Thomas Emmanuel Ramapuram, an office bearer of the association. This year, the occupancy rate in many resorts has dropped by 50 to 80 percent. Around 8,000 people depend on eco-tourism in the Bandipur and Nagarhole sanctuaries, and the ban on safaris has come as a blow to their livelihood. The Karnataka Eco-Tourism Resorts Association (AECRA) had written to the Tourism and State Forest Ministers demanding the resumption of safaris in Bandipur and Nagarhole. The tourism sector is experiencing a situation similar to that experienced during the peak tourism period from December to February. The letter stated that the reasons given for the current suspension of safaris are neither scientific nor practical. Realizing the economic damage and employment problems caused by the suspension of safaris, the government has urged them to resume safaris with necessary safety measures. If another three months, i.e. May, the safari activity will completely collapse during the monsoon season.

But the state government has not taken any decision yet. Responding to this, the state's Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, Bishwajit Mishra, said that this is the first time that a complete ban on safari has been imposed in the state. He said that if the Forest Minister gives an instruction in this regard, the matter will be discussed in a meeting of senior forest officers and appropriate action will be taken.

• Kovarkolli Indresh

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