Bengaluru: Karnataka high court has issued notice to the state govt, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), and others on a PIL petition seeking a ban on tiger safari activities.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha directed the respondents to file an affidavit detailing the areas or zones earmarked for tiger safaris by July 7, the next hearing date.The petition, filed by Mysuru-based advocate V Ravindra Kumar, challenged a Feb 21, 2026 order by the PCCF (wildlife) allowing the resumption of tiger safaris under strict guidelines. The order permitted the deployment of only 50% of safari vehicles — mainly buses — and staff that were in use before the Nov 7, 2025 ban. The petitioner alleged that the decision to partially resume safaris was influenced by pressure from local MLAs and resort lobbies. He further argued that the permission violates the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India case, which imposed a complete ban on tiger safari activities.The plea also cited a spate of fatal tiger attacks in Oct 2025 in Nagarahole forests and rising tensions among local farming communities, following which all safaris in national parks were halted. It additionally sought an inquiry into the technical committee that recommended restarting the safaris.
