Masterplan for Improving Eco-Tourism Activities in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The Karnataka Forest Department has floated a tender for preparing a masterplan for improving eco-tourism activities in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The masterplan will comprisebuilding a museum, Sports Park, recreation and information centers among others. A training center for probationary officers will also be built within the reserve. The cost of this entire project has been estimated at Rs. 40 crore.

The assistant conservator of forest, MS Ravikumar said, “The plan to enhance eco-tourism is in the preliminary stage. We have floated a tender for the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR). After the preparation of the masterplan, we will discuss and finalise the project.”

The foresters are also thinking to introduce an elephant safari in the reserve. The proposal has been discussed with Karnataka Forest Minister UmeshKatti. Currently, the Bandipur reserve only offers tiger safari.

“We have about 23 elephants in the Ramapura camp. Whereas, the camp has a capacity to accommodate only 14 elephants. There is a plan to shift seven-eight elephants to the Bandipur area. After this, we would like to resume the elephant safari that was stopped owing to certain reasons. The proposal was discussed with the forest minister as well,” said Ravikumar.

To quote Bandipur Tiger Reserve director Ramesh Kumar, “About 10 per cent area of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve has been earmarked as a tourism zone to carry out safari activities. We also conduct programmes for students. We want to take tourism-friendly measures.”

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