This story is from July 28, 2020

Forest department officials await nod for two more safari zones

Forest department officials await nod for two more safari zones
Authorities at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve are keen on starting a new safari near the Hediyal Forest Range
Mysuru: Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) authorities are planning to develop two more safari zones for tourists.
They have sent a proposal to the government to have wildlife safaris at the backwater of Nugu Reservoir in Hediyala Forest Range and near the Kabini River at Gundre Forest Range on the border with Kerala, both in Mysuru district.
There are 13 forest ranges in BTR — in which Gundre, N Begur, Moliyur, Ainur Marigudi, Hediyala, Nugu wildlife sanctuary come under Mysuru while Omkara, Maddur, Moolehole, GS Betta, Gundlupet Buffer Zone, Bandipur and Kundukere range come under Chamarajanagar district.

There is huge demand from tourists throughout the year for safari in Bandipur, which has the highest number tigers in the country and at Kakanakote Safari Centre (Kabini backwaters safari) coming under Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. To reduce the burden on these two places, authorities have proposed two more safari zones.
BTR director T Balachandra told TOI, “Due to rainy season and some legal issues, it will take some time to start the wildlife safari. We will have to set right all the issues.”
But first, the authorities must convince the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Supreme Court before starting new safari zones. A senior forest officer told TOI that as per NTCA guidelines and an SC direction, the safari should be conducted within 10 percent of the total reserve.

“In 2012, all the safari was closed for four months. Later the SC asked us to submit a report on following the guidelines and we submitted an affidavit. Later the SC lifted the ban on safaris, but only after setting the 10% limit,” the officer said.
BTR covers more than 912 square km of forest area and conducts safari in 54sq km in Bandipur range. “Around 20 sq kms more can be used for safari,” the officer said.
Short film on tigers
The forest department is bringing out a four-minute short film on tigers titled - Tigers a keystone species. It will be released on International Tiger Day celebrated on July 29.
The film, shot in Bandipur, Nagarahole, Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Wildlife Sanctuary and other places, is in the final stage of completion.
While two foresters shot at various places, another forester has given the narration for the film. The editing has been done by experts from outside the department. MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary DCF V Yedukondalu has written the script and directed the film.
Yedukondalu told TOI, “Tigers are on the top of the food chain. As top predators, they keep populations of prey species like deer and herbivores animals in check. If there are no tigers, herbivores like deer and wild boar will breed rapidly and the entire forest will be destroyed.”
“The short film will be released on the forest department’s website, Twitter and Facebook. Kannada film actor Darshan Tugudeepa who is our brand ambassador will conclude the film with a message,” he said.
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