Rule of the wild: Do Not Disrupt

By stepping out of vehicles in protected areas, people risk their lives and endanger the animals.

On Sunday, August 10, a disturbing incident unfolded in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve that underscores the growing madness gripping some tourists visiting our protected areas.

A man, ignoring all caution and signboards, stepped out of his vehicle in the middle of the reserve to take photos and possibly a selfie with a wild elephant in view. What followed was a terrifying attack by the elephant – an animal that, had it chosen to attack in full, could have ended the man’s life in seconds.

In the age of social media, the urge to get a “perfect shot” has led to increasingly dangerous behaviour in forests. Tourists are routinely seen stepping out of their vehicles to take selfies, especially with elephants in the background. They do this without understanding the immense risk involved.

Despite repeated sensitisation efforts by the Forest Department, including warning signboards, fines, and awareness campaigns, some of the visitors continue to treat tiger reserves, sanctuaries, and national parks like amusement parks. The desire to capture the perfect selfie or a dramatic video has blinded many to the very real dangers of these wild spaces.

Wildlife habitats are not meant for casual strolls, nor are they photo studios. Sanctuaries such as Bandipur, Nagarahole, BRT, and others are home to tigers, elephants, leopards, and other wild species. These are not controlled environments. Animals here are free-roaming, unpredictable, and most importantly, wild. Elephants, especially, can be extremely dangerous if they feel threatened or provoked. A sudden movement, a loud sound, or even the mere presence of humans on foot can trigger a charge.

Unlike in zoos or safari parks, there are no barriers here – only the thin shell of a vehicle protecting people from a potentially deadly encounter. It’s astonishing that even after multiple warnings, people continue to step out of their vehicles for the sake of a selfie.

Stepping out of a vehicle in protected areas is not only dangerous, it’s illegal. Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, getting down from vehicles, teasing, feeding, or disturbing wild animals in protected areas is a punishable offence. It can attract fines and even imprisonment. These areas are governed by strict rules for a reason: they are not to inconvenience tourists, but to ensure safety and conservation.

Highways and roads crisscross many protected areas in Karnataka and across India. While the Forest Department has implemented a night traffic ban in several reserves, including in Bandipur, day movement continues to grow. Given the vast stretches of roads that pass through these forests, it is practically impossible for forest personnel to patrol every metre of every route at all times. The responsibility, therefore, lies not only with enforcement but also with the public. No number of signboards can stop someone determined to flout the rules for a photo op. Until people take personal responsibility for their actions, these risks will continue – and so will the consequences. The onus, therefore, is on the public to act responsibly and respect the laws that are in place, not just for wildlife protection, but for their safety.

Recklessness comes at a price

Let’s be clear: when people get down in forest areas, they don’t just put themselves in danger; they also risk the lives of forest staff who may be forced to intervene, and they endanger the animals themselves. In previous cases, such provocations have led to animals being labelled as “dangerous” and eventually being relocated or even killed. Worse, such incidents damage the fragile trust between humans and wildlife and undermine years of conservation efforts.

The Bandipur incident could have ended in a fatality. It should serve as a wake-up call for every tourist, traveller, and influencer. Wildlife reserves exist for conservation, not for entertainment.

When you enter a protected forest, you are a guest. You are expected to follow the rules, stay inside your vehicle, and respect the wild. No photo or reel is worth your life. No moment of vanity is worth undoing years of conservation work. Let’s travel responsibly, respect nature, and remember that the forest is not our playground – t’s a home to countless species that deserve our caution, not our carelessness. The man injured in Bandipur is lucky to be alive. Many others in similar situations haven’t been.

The incident is not the first, and if attitudes don’t change, it won’t be the last. Because next time, we may not be so fortunate.

(The writer is a wildlife conservationist)