Karnataka ecotourism in crisis: KETRA appeals to govt to resume Bandipur & Nagarahole safaris amid losses

Ecotourism resort owners have written to tourism minister HK Patil, seeking the immediate withdrawal of the blanket ban on safaris in Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves, warning that continued closure could cripple the sector.

The Karnataka Ecotourism Resorts Association (KETRA) stated there is no scientific study establishing a connection between regulated safari tourism and recent human deaths caused by tiger attacks.

According to KETRA, safari areas in Nagarahole are completely disconnected from locations where conflict incidents occurred, while safari routes in Bandipur are situated nearly 50–100 km away from the affected regions.

The association estimated that the state is losing around Rs 60–70 lakh per day in GST revenue due to the suspension, adding pressure on government finances.

KETRA members are collectively losing over Rs 3 crore a day because of mass cancellations, while Jungle Lodges and Resorts are incurring losses of nearly Rs 30 lakh daily.

The forest department is also bearing the brunt of the ban, with daily losses of about Rs 30 lakh in safari fees since operations were halted.

The ecotourism sector employs around 8,000 people, nearly 80% of them from local villages and indigenous tribal communities, whose livelihoods are now under threat due to the prolonged suspension.