NewsFlash Daily™
21 May 
Karnataka Forest Department has halted open-vehicle wildlife safaris after the Dubare elephant camp tragedy raised serious concerns over tourist safety
Bengaluru: Following the tragic death of a tourist woman during an elephant clash at Dubare Elephant Camp, the Karnataka Forest Department has announced a major safety reform by restricting wildlife safaris in open vehicles across protected forest regions.
The decision comes as part of urgent precautionary measures aimed at strengthening tourist safety in wildlife zones and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Forest officials confirmed that open safari jeeps currently operating in tiger reserves and other protected forest areas across Karnataka will gradually be replaced with safer closed vehicles equipped with reinforced toughened glass and steel safety structures.
Karnataka Wildlife Safari Rules Tightened After Dubare Incident
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre stated that discussions regarding safari safety were held with the state’s Chief Wildlife Warden after reports revealed that open safari vehicles were still being widely used across several tiger reserves and wildlife protected zones in Karnataka.
The minister highlighted that tourist safety must remain the highest priority for the forest department, especially as thousands of domestic and international tourists visit Karnataka’s wildlife destinations every year.
Officials said all future safari operations will prioritise enclosed vehicles fitted with strong safety mechanisms to minimise risk during wildlife encounters.
New Safety Measures Introduced For Karnataka Safari Vehicles
Apart from banning open safari vehicles, the forest department has also introduced additional safety protocols for safari operations across the state.
Authorities have now made it mandatory for all safari vehicles to carry first-aid kits. Instructions have also been issued to ensure ambulance facilities remain available near safari centres for emergency medical response.
Officials believe these measures will significantly improve emergency preparedness in wildlife tourism zones.
Dubare Elephant Camp Tragedy Triggered Statewide Action
The new restrictions were introduced after a tragic incident at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu district shocked the state.
According to officials, two elephants named Kanjan and Marthanda were brought to the banks of the Cauvery River by mahouts for routine bathing when an unexpected clash broke out between the animals.
During the violent fight, a tourist woman from Chennai reportedly became trapped between the elephants and suffered severe injuries that later proved fatal.
The incident became even more tragic after the injured elephant Marthanda also died despite receiving treatment.
The forest department is now under pressure to strengthen wildlife tourism safety standards and review visitor management protocols across all protected forest regions in Karnataka.
