4,000 livelihoods at risk, says Karnataka Eco-Tourism Resorts Association

Mysore/Mysuru: A prolonged ban on jungle safaris at Karnataka’s premier tiger reserves of Bandipur and Nagarahole has dealt a severe blow to the tourism sector, triggering mass booking cancellations at resorts and homestays and raising fears of large-scale job losses during the peak season.

With December to February marking the busiest period for wildlife tourism, industry stakeholders warn that the continued suspension could push the sector into a crisis reminiscent of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Foreign tourists have begun rerouting their travel plans, posing a serious risk to Karnataka’s reputation as a leading wildlife destination.

The Karnataka Eco-Tourism Resorts Association (KETRA) has written to the State Tourism Minister, urging the immediate resumption of jungle safaris with enhanced safety measures. The Association has highlighted mounting economic losses and growing employment concerns resulting from the ban.

Unscientific and impractical

Wildlife safaris were halted in November following reports of tiger attacks in villages near forest areas. Since then, the forest department has captured over 20 tigers.

However, KETRA has argued that the reasons cited for suspending safaris are neither scientific nor practical. It pointed out that safari routes have no connection with the locations of recent attacks — the Nagarahole safari zone is separate from the incident sites, while Bandipur’s safari routes are located 50 to 100 kms away.

The financial impact has been substantial. Jungle Lodges & Resorts alone is reportedly losing around Rs. 30 lakh per day. The Forest Department is forfeiting an estimated Rs. 30 lakh daily in safari fees, while the State exchequer is losing Rs. 60 to Rs.70 lakh in GST revenue. Overall, the combined losses are estimated to exceed Rs. 3 crore every day.

Livelihoods at stake

The livelihoods of nearly 4,000 workers are now at stake. The safari tourism sector employs around 8,000 people, nearly 80 per cent of whom come from forest-fringe villages and tribal communities.

Within the next month, 1,200 to 1,500 daily wage and contractual workers could lose their jobs. If the ban continues, regular staff may also be affected, pushing thousands of families into economic distress.

Wildlife tourism is a key pillar of South India’s travel economy. International tour operators, who typically plan itineraries three to six months in advance, have already begun diverting foreign tourists from Karnataka to other destinations such as Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Industry leaders warn that sudden cancellations and negative global reviews could have long-term consequences for Karnataka’s tourism brand.

Industry sources say the current situation is unprecedented in the history of Karnataka tourism and have urged the State government to urgently review the safari ban to prevent lasting damage to the tourism sector.