Crossing the line, Are wildlife safaris ignoring the warning?

Kiran Urs

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In the heart of the jungle, every tiger's roar is  an affirmation to many families  that their  livelihood is  still  secure.   Yes, you heard it right  !   The  presence of a tiger in a jungle, feeds many mouths . A  predator tiger is the key for  survival of the  forest and its eco-system , without them there is no wildlife  , no wildlife tourism  no families that depends on wildlife tourism . Poor predators, in their humble existence, may not be aware that their very presence contributes to an entire ecosystem— the  essence of Tiger tourism.

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Over recent decades, wildlife tourism has experienced remarkable growth, with Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) alone, reporting a revenue of Rs. 68 crore between April 2019 and March 2020. As the expansion of such jungle lodges tourism continues, expectations and competition within the industry are on the rise.

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However, amidst this growth, the question looms:

who truly reaps the rewards of this expansion and intrusion? Is the tiger receiving its rightful share and care ?   The tiger endures an invasion of its privacy through the relentless rally of wildlife safaris. While these excursions serve as thrilling picnics for human enthusiasts, the question arises how much of this safari intrusion is tolerable?

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Crossing the line

If you are a wildlife enthusiast or a frequent visitor, I am certain you have observed a recent surge in animal attacks on wildlife safari jeeps, an occurrence that seems to persist. You  may also reflect on the fact that such incidents were virtually non-existent about a decade ago. Something is amiss, pushing beyond acceptable limits. This escalation can be attrib

uted to the relentless pursuit of financial gains of jungle lodges, the Karnataka Forest Department, and the mushrooming wildlife resorts. Regrettably, it appears that they have collectively crossed the line . To what extent can wildlife safaris be considered safe? How many jeeps are we sending into the wilderness each morning and evening? Do we not realize the profound impact this has on the natural behaviour and the daily routine of wild animals? The increasing frequency of attacks on wildlife safaris serves as an early warning sign that we have reached a tipping point.

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It is imperative for the Karnataka Forest Department to intervene and impose restrictions on these invasive activities. Regrettably, the forest department has also joined the party

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Unchecked Greed : Safari on goods carrier

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The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has extended its reach by introducing public wild safaris in nearly every jungle across Karnataka, resulting in a surge of daily bookings. Unfortunately, the truth is that the KFD's ambition has morphed into a form of greed. In a rather startling move, the department, entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding forests, has expanded its activities. A particularly disconcerting development is the initiation of wildlife safaris at 2:30 PM at Nagarhole , a time  unfavourable and inconducive to wildlife activity - this is done with the sole purpose of accommodating back-to-back safaris until 6 PM.  More safari , More sales !!

Most recently, the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has taken a regrettable plunge by launching a wildlife safari in the PG Palya range near MM Hills. This move is marked by a concerning deception, as people are being misled into believing they are embarking on a wildlife adventure in the uninhabitable buffer areas of MM Hills—a dry drive through shrub forests. Adding to the unease, the department employs primitive goods carrier jeeps for these safaris. Such practices seem to prioritize financial gains over the ethical treatment of forests.

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Too Risky

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While we've heard of tiger reserves in the northern

parts of India  wisely shutting down during the monsoon due to the inherent risks,  in our home state, safari jeeps persist through the monsoon, navigating treacherous terrain, getting stuck in quicksand, and sometimes leaving tourists in precarious situations. A rather dangerous example unfolded in the monsoon of 2016, when a safari jeep carrying a bunch of  wildlife enthusiasts were stuck in a monsoon pit.  Individuals had to get down from the jeep to free it, putting their lives at risk. The potential for a wild animal attack during such incidents underscores the perilous nature of these safaris, where one wrong move could prove fatal.

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The recent surge in attacks on safari  and the disarray among elephants stand as warning signs that the department has regrettably overlooked. When  animals  intrude frequently into human habitats, would we tolerate it in the same manner?