Karnataka tiger reserves reopen for tourists in Dasara season

MYSORE: Visitors to the state this Dasara season have reasons to rejoice. The three famed tiger reserves near Mysore are opening to tourists starting Thursday.

A day after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on tourism in tiger reserves, foresters on Wednesday decided to open Bandipur, Nagarahole and BRT tiger reserves. "We're opening the tiger reserves to tourists operating safaris. The reservations will also open for tourist facilities in these tiger reserves," additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) B J Hosamath.

However, the forest department will not increase the areas where tourists are allowed. Both at Nagarahole and Bandipur, the total area where tourists are allowed is under 10 per cent of the tiger reserves while it is 14 per cent at BRT.