Chamarajanagar: The Bandipur Tiger Reserve, nestled in the verdant forests of Gundlupet taluk in Chamarajanagar district, is one of India’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries. Known for its rich biodiversity and pristine natural landscapes, Bandipur has long been a favorite destination for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike. However, a serious violation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines has now cast a shadow over its legacy, with forest officials allegedly breaching protected protocols under the guise of wildlife education.
In a shocking incident that has triggered widespread outrage among environmentalists and conservationists, officials posted in Bandipur as part of the ‘Friends of Bandipur’ initiative are accused of taking tourists into strictly protected anti-poaching camp (APC) zones — areas that are completely off-limits to the public under NTCA regulations.
The anti-poaching camps serve a crucial role in protecting endangered wildlife, including tigers and elephants, from illegal hunting and encroachment. These camps are typically located deep within the core areas of the forest, in regions classified as high-sensitivity tiger habitat zones. Under NTCA regulations, any form of public entry, tourism, or disclosure of these locations is strictly prohibited. These camps not only serve as outposts for forest staff during emergencies such as poaching threats or animal rescues, but are also critical for maintaining the ecological integrity of the reserve.
However, recent reports reveal that some forest staff, allegedly acting with the knowledge or consent of senior officials, are taking tourists to these camps as part of an experiential learning module titled ‘Friends of Bandipur.’ What was supposed to be an awareness program focused on forest conservation and wildlife protection has now turned into a full-fledged breach of protected areas.
“This is a serious violation of the NTCA rules. The core idea behind keeping anti-poaching camps confidential is to protect these locations from being discovered by potential poachers or illegal traffickers. By taking tourists into these zones, they are compromising the safety of wild animals and undermining years of conservation work,” said prominent environmentalist D’Selva, voicing strong condemnation of the act.
Adding to the concern is the timing of the violation. Just weeks ago, forest officials were under scrutiny for allowing the shooting of a Malayalam film at the ecologically sensitive Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, another NTCA-regulated region within the Bandipur range. That controversy had barely died down when this fresh breach emerged, prompting many to question the seriousness with which forest regulations are being enforced by the authorities.
“The role of forest staff is not just about patrols and paperwork; they are the frontline guardians of India’s natural heritage. Such acts of carelessness or, worse, willful disregard of conservation law not only damage Bandipur’s credibility as a model tiger reserve but also endanger the very animals we claim to protect,” said a senior official from a Karnataka-based wildlife NGO who wished to remain anonymous.
The Friends of Bandipur program, as conceptualized, was meant to educate the public, especially students and conservation-minded tourists, about flora, fauna, and the importance of biodiversity. But taking individuals into high-security core zones meant only for rapid response forest personnel is seen by experts as crossing a dangerous line.
Environmentalists have now urged the Karnataka Forest Department and the NTCA to take immediate corrective measures, including initiating a detailed inquiry into the misuse of authority and issuing fresh guidelines to prevent future violations. There is also a growing demand for accountability at the level of senior forest officers who allegedly allowed or overlooked these transgressions.
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