A legal storm is brewing over plans to restart safari operations in the core areas of two of Karnataka's premier tiger reserves. A Mysuru-based advocate has issued formal legal notices to several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), cautioning them against supporting any move to revive tourist safaris within the critical tiger habitats of Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks.
Advocate's Legal Challenge Cites Supreme Court Order
The legal action was initiated by Mysuru-based advocate V Ravi Kumar. In the notices dispatched to the legislators, Kumar has laid out a clear legal argument. He states that any attempt to restart safari activities in the designated core or critical tiger habitat zones of these protected forests would constitute a direct violation of a standing judgement from the Supreme Court of India.
The notices underscore that the apex court has previously issued directives aimed at minimizing human intervention in the most sensitive areas of tiger reserves. These core zones are meant to be inviolate spaces for the breeding and survival of the endangered big cats and other wildlife, free from the persistent disturbance caused by tourist vehicles.
The Context: Safaris in Protected Core Areas
The issue revolves around proposals or discussions to reintroduce jeep safaris into the heart of Nagarhole (also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park) and Bandipur Tiger Reserve. While safari tourism is permitted in buffer or fringe areas of many reserves, the core areas enjoy the highest level of protection under the law.
Proponents of revival often argue for local tourism revenue and livelihood opportunities. However, conservationists and legal experts counter that such activities in core zones disrupt animal behavior, increase stress on wildlife, and potentially damage the fragile ecosystem. The legal notices served by Advocate Ravi Kumar firmly align with this conservation-centric viewpoint, using the Supreme Court's authority as the foundation.
Implications and Next Steps
The serving of these notices, dated for attention on 15 December 2025, marks a significant escalation in the debate. It transitions the discussion from an administrative or environmental concern to a potential legal confrontation. The MLAs who have received the notices are now put on legal alert regarding the consequences of their stance on this matter.
If the authorities were to proceed with reopening core-area safaris despite this warning, it could lead to the filing of a fresh Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or contempt proceedings, citing the disregard for the Supreme Court's earlier judgement. The move by the Mysuru advocate highlights the ongoing tension between development pressures and conservation mandates in India's critical wildlife corridors.
This development puts the spotlight firmly on the Karnataka forest department and the state government. Their next move will be closely watched by conservationists, legal experts, and the tourism industry alike. The outcome could set a crucial precedent for how similar conflicts between wildlife protection and tourism are handled in other tiger reserves across the country.
