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.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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