Jungle resorts and homestays in Karnataka’s prime wildlife tourism belt are battling for survival as the ongoing safari ban in Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole National Park continues, even with the holiday season approaching. Resort owners say bookings remain at an all-time low, as safaris are the main attraction drawing tourists to the region.
Bookings crash despite peak season
Property proprietors in and around Bandipur said there has been “absolutely no improvement” in bookings, traditionally at their peak during the year-end holidays. “A lot of people’s livelihoods are dependent on tourism-related businesses here. Without safari, there is hardly any footfall,” said Deepak PB, a resort owner in the Bandipur area.
Several owners said they were hesitant to share exact booking data but described the situation as dire, with many properties running close to empty despite reduced tariffs.
Safari ban after human–animal conflict
The Karnataka government suspended jeep safaris on November 7 following multiple incidents of human-animal conflict, particularly tiger attacks, reported in Bandipur and Nagarahole. Forest officials cited concerns that vehicular movement inside the forests may have contributed to the incidents.
Since then, resort owners say there has been little clarity on when operations might resume. Malik Sheikh, another property owner, said appeals to the Forest Department had so far yielded no response.
Tourists shift to Mudumalai
With Karnataka safaris suspended, many tourists are opting for the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, located about 15 km from Bandipur. “Some businesses have even shifted operations towards Mudumalai. Tourists are going there because safari is the main attraction,” said Santosh Kumar, another stay owner.
However, others said this was not a viable long-term solution. “There are already many stays around Mudumalai. Even after cutting room tariffs from ₹14,000 to ₹10,000, we are not getting bookings,” one resort owner said.
Plea to government, minister responds
An anonymous resort owner in Nagarahole said the industry was running out of time. “If this situation continues, we will not be able to run our business for long. We urge the forest minister to reconsider the ban,” the owner said.
Responding to concerns, Karnataka Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre said the situation remained “emergency-like”. “Around 20 to 30 tigers are roaming outside forest areas. The safety of people is our topmost priority,” he said, adding that any decision on lifting the ban would be taken only after a careful review.
Livelihoods at stake
Tourism stakeholders say prolonged suspension threatens not just resort owners but also local guides, drivers, staff and small businesses dependent on wildlife tourism. While they acknowledge safety concerns, they are hoping for a calibrated solution that balances conservation, public safety and livelihoods.
For now, the uncertainty continues, with the once-busy jungle tourism hubs facing one of their toughest seasons in years.