Nagarahole Adivasis Demand Wildlife Safari Ban to Continue, Cite Rising Human-Animal Conflict
February 13, 2026
The adivasis of Nagarahole have asked the Karnataka government to keep the ban on wildlife safaris in place. J.S. Ramakrishna, a Jenu Kuruba member and representative of the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapaale Hakku Sthapana Samithi (NAJHSS), said safaris cause human-animal conflicts. "They say they are clearing grasslands, but they go deep into the forest, and clear trees. This is done to improve sighting of animals, but it forces animals to move and they wander into human habitations resulting in conflicts. Hence, the ban on safaris must continue," Ramakrishna told reporters.
Other adivasi communities such as Jenu Kuruba, Betta Kuruba, Paniya, and Yerava also criticized the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). Manjula from Golur Hadi said, "Decisions of grama sabhas are ignored. Instead, the government brings in people from outside in the name of conserving forests. Their conservation methods are based on exclusion and extraction. The Nagarahole forests have been our homeland for 160 years. Do we not know how to protect our forests?"
J.A. Shivu of NAJHSS accused IBCA member organizations of promoting "false and extractive agendas such as biodiversity offsetting, eco-tourism and green credits," calling these "greenwashing schemes in the guise of conservation." The adivasis want their rights and voices recognized in forest conservation efforts.
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Tags:
Nagarahole
Adivasis
Wildlife Safari Ban
Human-animal conflict
International Big Cat Alliance
Forest Conservation
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