Tourism activities resume in Bandipur

Tourism activities in Bandipur Tiger Reserve resumed on Monday, after being suspended for three days owing to forest fires.

H.C. Kantharaj, Director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that a large number of tourists opted for the safari though they were told that animal sighting would be highly uncertain.

There have been no fresh fires anywhere in the tiger reserve, apart from a small fire in Maddur range that was stomped out by the staff.

Mr. Kantharaj said no wildlife deaths had been reported; the animals had migrated to greener pastures.

“Fresh fires in other ranges of Bandipur are less likely as there are no dry bamboo clumps anywhere. However, Begur range has a lot of wilted and dry bamboo spread over larger areas, apart from dry lantana, a type of weed,” said Mr. Kantharaj.

Officials said there was enough natural fodder and the waterholes were not fully dry.