Karnataka’s ecotourism sector seeks scientific review & phased resumption of wildlife safaris

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Eco‑Tourism Resorts Association (KETRA) has sought a science-based review and phased resumption of wildlife safaris in Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves with safety measures.

“KETRA has expressed deep concern over the prolonged suspension of wildlife safaris in Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves, in place since 7-8 November 2025, which has coincided with the peak tourism season in Karnataka,” it said in a statement on
Thursday.

“While reiterating its full empathy for families affected by recent tiger attacks and acknowledging the need for robust human-wildlife conflict responses, the Association has appealed for an urgent, science‑based review of the current blanket ban on safaris, emphasised that prolonged, open-ended suspensions without clearly articulated review mechanisms risk setting a precedent that undermines both conservation planning and livelihood stability in protected area landscapes,” the statement added.

The association claimed that, according to their internal assessments and publicly reported estimates, the ongoing suspension has pushed Karnataka’s eco‑tourism belt into a severe financial and livelihood crisis.

“Member resorts and associated tourism businesses in the Bandipur-Nagarahole landscape are collectively losing around Rs 3 crore per day due to cancellations and reduced bookings, while Jungle Lodges and Resorts and the Forest Department together are estimated to be losing approximately Rs 60-70 lakh per day in safari‑linked revenues and fees. Occupancies at several properties have dropped from pre‑ban levels of roughly 75-80 per cent in late 2024 to about 30-40 per cent in the same period this year,” KETRA added.