Overview
- Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre directed safaris to resume from February 21 at 50% of previous vehicle deployment with shorter daily windows in each zone.
- Officials were told to run tours mainly by buses with minimal use of jeeps and campers, backed by strict enforcement of operating rules.
- All safari vehicles must be fitted with GPS units and dashboard cameras within two months, with some vehicles and staff reassigned to edge-village patrols.
- A 100‑km stretch along Bandipur’s boundary will get 25 patrol camps staffed by local ‘forest friends’, with conflict hotspots mapped and monitored through an integrated command centre and helpline 1926.
- The state raised the community share to 35% of safari revenue for skill training, fodder supply and education, as an expert panel’s interim report found no scientific link between safaris and tiger incursions while a full carrying‑capacity study continues.