Mysuru, 20 Feb

Safari operations, suspended after the human-tiger conflict, will resume with conditions from 21 February, after Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre issued an official directive on Friday.

Khandre reviewed the situation with officials from Mysuru, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar.

Safaris in Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve will resume, but for shorter durations. 

“Only 50 per cent of the safari vehicles and staff in use before 7 November should be deployed. Operations should be conducted mainly through buses, with minimal use of campers and jeeps,” he said.

Safari operations had been suspended for more than three months on 7 November after a series of human-wildlife conflict, including repeated tiger attacks along the forest fringes of Mysuru – Chamarajanagar districts.

A 100-km stretch along the Bandipur boundary has been identified as highly sensitive, with 25 camps to be set up at 5km intervals, the minister’s office stated.

“Residents will be appointed as ‘forest friends’ at each camp to monitor wildlife movement,” Khandre said.

Khandre also directed the officials to spend 35 percent of revenue generated by Safaris for the welfare of local tribes' children, their education in forest fringe villages.