Karnataka Tiger Reserves Reopen With New Safety Rules

Safari operations at Karnataka's prominent tiger reserves, Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, are resuming in phases from Thursday, February 19, 2026. These popular tourist destinations had been closed since November 7, 2025, following a series of human-wildlife conflict incidents. The decision to reopen was based on recommendations from a technical committee tasked with ensuring public safety and ecological balance.

The new operational plan involves significantly reduced safari timings and vehicle capacity. Bandipur's daily safari time will decrease from eight to five hours, while Nagarahole will operate for four hours initially. Vehicle numbers entering the parks have been halved, with some redirected to patrol fringe villages to mitigate wildlife encounters.

Enhanced safety measures are mandated, including the installation of GPS tracking systems and dashboard cameras on all safari vehicles within two months. The committee also proposed that one-third of safari revenue be invested in local development initiatives, such as skill training and conservation efforts in nearby villages. The technical panel comprised forest officials and experts from renowned institutions like the Wildlife Institute of India and the Indian Institute of Forest Management.