Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 28: The Karnataka government has given the green signal to fully reopen jungle safaris at the Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves. The decision is based on a scientific assessment of the effective carrying capacity, recommended by a technical committee comprising experts and officials.

Accepting the committee's report, the state government has issued directives to the forest department to operate the safaris in a regulated manner. The government highlighted that Karnataka holds immense potential in eco-tourism and consistently follows a sustainable model that generates local employment while boosting the rural economy.

The state remains committed to an eco-tourism framework that safeguards ecological integrity and ensures tourism contributes positively to wildlife conservation, local livelihoods, and the visitor experience.

It may be recalled that earlier in May, Karnataka forest and environment minister Ishwar B Khandre had defended the decision to temporarily halt safari operations at Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks. The restrictions had been in place since November 2025. He stated that the measure was necessary to protect human lives following a series of wildlife attacks in the region.

Safety measures directed at Muthathi following tragedy

In a separate development, water resources minister and Mandya district in-charge Ramalinga Reddy has directed officials to identify safe swimming zones for tourists in the Cauvery river at Muthathi.
Reddy instructed the Mandya deputy commissioner to erect barricades in dangerous areas along the riverbanks at Muthathi in Malavalli taluk to prevent visitors from venturing into unsafe waters. The directive follows a tragic incident two days ago, where five members of a family drowned in the river.

Speaking to the deputy commissioner over the phone, Reddy also mandated the installation of warning signboards and the deployment of guides or trained personnel at designated safe swimming zones.
Expressing his condolences to the?bereaved family, the minister announced that he would visit Mandya district shortly.

Meanwhile, union minister H D Kumaraswamy has written to Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge, demanding urgent safety interventions at Muthathi to prevent further loss of life. He urged the government to set up a police outpost, deploy additional security personnel, install warning boards and barricades, and strictly restrict access to perilous stretches of the river. Highlighting the gravity of the situation,

Kumaraswamy pointed out that at least 11 people have drowned in the past five months, and over 36 have lost their lives in the last five years in the area.