Tourists to Watch Elephants from 100 Feet Away from Tomorrow after Kodagu Dubare Tragedy

As part of the new rules, tourists will not be allowed to go near elephants from Tuesday onwards.

Madikeri: In the wake of the recent death of a woman tourist at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu district, the Karnataka government has introduced stricter safety measures at elephant camps across the State. Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure the safety of visitors at all captive elephant camps.

The move comes after a woman tourist was killed when two elephants engaged in a fight during a bathing session at the popular Dubare camp. Following the incident, the Minister instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden to immediately implement precautionary measures.

As part of the new rules, tourists will not be allowed to go near elephants from Tuesday onwards. Visitors can only watch elephant bathing activities from a minimum distance of 100 feet. Authorities have also been instructed not to allow tourists to take selfies or photographs near elephants under any circumstances.

In addition, feeding elephants directly with bananas, jaggery, sugarcane or other food items has been strictly prohibited. Officials have been told to ensure that visitors do not physically interact with the animals.

The Minister said that safety guidelines had already been introduced for eco-tourism trekking routes in the State and that similar SOPs would now be implemented at elephant camps to prevent accidents and ensure tourist safety.

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