Tiger Attacks Force Karnataka to Suspend Safaris in Nagarhole and Bandipur

In response to a series of fatal tiger attacks, the Karnataka government has suspended all safari and trekking activities in the Nagarhole and Bandipur Tiger Reserves until further notice. The move follows the deaths of three people in separate tiger attacks over the past month along the forest fringes of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts.

The order was issued by Eshwar B. Khandre, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, who expressed grief over the loss of human lives and directed urgent measures to capture the tiger responsible.

"It is deeply saddening that three precious human lives have been lost due to tiger attacks along the forest fringes of Bandipur and Nagarahole," the minister said in an official note.
"Despite steps taken to capture the tiger and prevent further incidents, another tragic attack occurred, which is truly shocking."

Following the initial attacks, Khandre held a review meeting with forest officials in Bandipur on October 27, where immediate action was directed to locate and capture the tiger. A second meeting was convened on November 2 in Chamarajanagar, attended by Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh, Social Welfare Minister Dr. H. C. Mahadevappa, local legislators, and forest officials. During the meeting, farmers voiced concerns that constant safari activities were disturbing wildlife, pushing animals toward human settlements.

Officials also acknowledged that staff shortages were limiting field surveillance and response capacity.

In light of the continued threat, the government has issued strict orders:

All safari operations in Bandipur and Nagarhole are suspended immediately.

Trekking activities in areas prone to human-wildlife conflict are to be halted.

All safari personnel, including drivers and guides, are to be redeployed to assist in tiger-tracking operations.

The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Director of Project Tiger have been directed to camp on-site and oversee operations to track and safely capture the tiger believed to be behind the recent attacks.

Both Nagarhole and Bandipur are among India's most prominent national parks and tiger reserves, forming part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and separated by the Kabini river backwaters. The area supports a thriving tiger population and attracts thousands of tourists each year for its famed safaris and biodiversity.

Forest officials emphasized that the suspension is a temporary safety measure to protect visitors, locals, and forest staff while restoring balance to the disturbed ecosystem.

"Our focus is on ensuring public safety and capturing the tiger without causing further disturbance to wildlife," an official from the Forest Department said.

The state government has also indicated that safari operations will resume only after a thorough safety assessment and the successful resolution of the ongoing tiger conflict.