Bandipur, Nagarahole Safaris Resume After 100-Day Ban; New Rules Implemented

• Safari operations at Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka have resumed after a 100-day suspension due to increased tiger and leopard attacks.
• The reopening follows an interim recommendation from a technical expert committee, with Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre confirming the decision.
• New rules include a 50% capacity cap on safari vehicles, reduced operating hours (Bandipur: until 5 pm; Nagarahole: 6 hours in Sunkadakatte, 4 hours in Nagarahole zone), and a ban on campfires at nearby resorts.
• The suspension caused significant economic losses, estimated at Rs 3 crore per day for 35 resorts, and impacted around 8,000 livelihoods.
• Local farmers near Bandipur express concerns about increased wildlife movement and plan protests, fearing that resuming safaris might divert focus from conflict mitigation.