Mysuru, 19 Nov 

The tourism sector has urged the Forest Department to restart safaris in Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.

In a letter to the Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre, stakeholders led by Mysuru Travels Association President BS Prashanth said that tourism activities have collapsed after the safaris were stopped. The State government had paused safaris owing to the increasing human-wildlife conflict.

The letter comes a day after staff from various hotels and resorts staged a dharna at HD Kote, seeking government intervention.

Prashanth stated that Mysuru-Chamarajanagar district's tourism promotion is dependent upon wild safaris in Bandipur and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. A large number of tourists who visit Mysuru also prefer wildlife safari in the two regions located very close to Mysuru, he wrote.

Many stakeholders, including hotel owners, travel operators, have invested crores of rupees for the construction of hotels, resorts and other hospitality sectors, Prashanth noted. The tourism sector also provided opportunities for thousands of travel operators, tourist guides and agents. Now, the stoppage of Safaris has affected their livelihood. The stakeholders provided all protection to their tourists during jungle safari rides, he stated.

In the wake of three tiger-related deaths in a span of 15 days along the fringes of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, the State government had ordered the immediate suspension of safari operations at both Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves, which draw hundreds of tourists every day. Khandre also imposed a State-wide ban on trekking in human–wildlife conflict hotspots.