Karnataka CM Shivakumar orders resumption of Bandipur-Nagarhole Safari with strict safety measures
Bengaluru, June 30
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed officials to resume safari and eco-tourism activities in Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, ensuring all necessary safety measures are strictly followed.
He also instructed officials to examine and effectively resolve any minor technical issues related to the Mekedatu project, noting that Tamil Nadu has been raising objections in the Supreme Court citing such minor grounds.
The directions were issued during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife, chaired by the Chief Minister in the committee room at Vidhana Soudha.
Officials informed the meeting that tiger and leopard density in the Bandipur and Nagarhole eco-tourism and safari zones is higher than in areas with frequent human-wildlife conflict. In light of this, the Chief Minister said safari activities should resume only after putting in place all precautionary and safety measures to ensure tourist safety.
Officials told the meeting that construction of the BMIC corridor has obstructed traditional movement routes of elephants, tigers, and leopards. As a result, wildlife is straying out of forest areas towards Channapatna and Ramanagara, contributing to increased human-wildlife conflict.
They further noted that while permission for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway included conditions to build underpasses, overpasses, and wildlife corridors for safe animal passage, these conditions were not properly implemented during construction.
Standing Committee members pointed out that despite earlier clear instructions to remove dry and dangerous trees and branches within BBMP limits, poor implementation has led to accidents caused by falling trees and branches during rain and wind.
Responding to this, the Chief Minister directed concerned officials to urgently identify, remove, and take preventive action on hazardous trees and branches, prioritising public safety.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the focus on safety measures, but why does it always take a CM directive to remove dangerous trees in Bangalore? Every monsoon someone gets hurt. Officials should be proactive, not reactive. As for safari resumption—good for tourism revenue, but let's not disturb wildlife too much. They were there first. 🙏
About time! My family has been waiting to book Safaris for months. Bandipur is a gem of Karnataka tourism. But CM saab please also look into the elephant corridor issue—anjans are suffering because of poor planning. And Tamil Nadu ko bhi jawab dena padega on Mekedatu. We can't let them block our development. 💪
Mixed feelings here. Safaris are great for education and ecotourism, but the BMIC corridor issue shows our development model is flawed. We build highways without respecting animal paths and then wonder why leopards wander into Channapatna. Also, Mekedatu drama with Tamil Nadu is getting tiring—hope CM resolves technical issues properly instead of just political posturing. 🤷♀️
I'm a wildlife photographer and have seen how poorly managed Bandipur can get during peak season. Strict saftey measures are absolute must! Vehicle speed limits, no open windows near big cats, and max 10 vehicle per safari. Also, that BMIC corridor mess is a shame—elevated roads with proper underpasses would have saved many animal lives. Hope CM follows through! 📷
As a foreign tourist
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