JD(S) leader SR Mahesh on Wednesday urged the government to immediately lift the ban on safaris in forest areas as the move has severely affected the livelihood of people dependent on the tourism industry.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Mysuru, Mr. Mahesh, who is also a former tourism minister, said that thousands of people in Mysuru are dependent on the tourism industry. According to him, the safari ban has already hit the tourism industry hard.
A large number of people, including guesthouse, hotel, tour guides, taxi drivers and others, are being robbed of their livelihoods following the government’s ban on safaris.
Although Mr. Mahesh expressed sympathy for the farmers living on the fringes of the forests who were attacked by wild animals, Mr. Mahesh maintained that the animals do not come out of the forests for safaris. “When we go on safari, sometimes during the day we never see wild animals and tigers,” he said.
Asserting that the safari ban was not the solution to prevent wild animals from coming out of the forests, Mr. Mahesh said the government should discuss the issue with wildlife experts and environmentalists to come up with a solution to protect the lives and property of farmers living on the fringes of the forests.
Published – 19 Nov 2025 19:50 IST
