Wild encounters, rural gains: Tiger tourism spreads outside reserves in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Tiger tourism in Karnataka is spreading beyond the boundaries of reserves and sanctuaries, opening up new economic opportunities for villagers and local entrepreneurs. With tiger numbers on the rise and sightings increasingly reported outside forest areas, homestays and small resorts are mushrooming in peripheral villages, The New Indian Express reported on Sunday.
Antarsanthe, a village on the fringes of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, has emerged as a hub for such tourism. Tourists book forest department safaris, which may not guarantee a tiger sighting but offer a memorable wildlife experience.
“Five years back I took this small home stay from a villager on rent. I suffered losses for the first couple of years. Now I am making profit. Most of my guests are from Bengaluru and Mysuru. They stay here and book safari buses or jeeps,” TNIE quoted Raveesh K, who is operating a home stay in Antarsanthe, as saying.
Kamanna, another villager, echoed a similar story. “My brother and I built a small homestay, as large constructions are restricted. Unlike inside reserves, there are no curbs on night travel here. Guests enjoy night and early morning safaris along the forest periphery, and many have spotted tigers,” he said.
Villagers are also diversifying into floriculture-based tourism.
In Angala, homestay owners have added attractions to draw visitors. One villager, Rafi A, installed a glass bridge across his sunflower field, providing a backdrop for photographs and social media reels.
“Due to increasing wandering wildlife, including tigers, leopards and elephants, sightings are guaranteed. We also help tourists to book safari rides,” the report quoted Ashoka L, a manager of a resort in Angala, as saying.
Forest officials, however, remain cautious. The surge in footfall, they warn, could increase the risk of human-animal conflict.
A forest department official noted that efforts are under way to regulate tourism outside Bandipur and Nagarhole, while steps are also being taken to promote tiger tourism around MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, BRT Tiger Reserve and other areas to disperse crowds from the two prime reserves and support tribals and villagers. “Tiger tourism is also being used to encourage forest dwellers to move out of forests and to help the department attract CSR and CER funds,” TNIE quoted the official as saying.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
