A legal notice has been issued demanding a probe into the Jungle Ride safari in Kali Tiger Reserve’s Castlerock range. Activists allege it violates wildlife and forest laws by operating in a core zone not approved for tourism.

Key Points:

• A law student from Koppal issued a 60-day notice under Section 55 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, seeking action against the Jungle Ride safari in the Castlerock range.
• The safari, covering around 50 km through forest and waterfall areas, allegedly operates in a core zone not listed in the Tiger Conservation Plan (2014–2024).
• Activists claim the safari violates NTCA guidelines and forest laws, as Castlerock is not an approved tourism zone and no permissions were taken.
• The use of staff vehicles and promotional signage inside the core sanctuary is said to breach Sections 3A and 3B of the Forest Conservation Act.
• The Kali Tiger Reserve authorities confirmed receipt of the notice, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has 60 days to respond before possible legal escalation.

Key Takeaway:

• Kali Tiger Reserve is located in Karnataka and is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, and diverse wildlife.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) regulates tourism in tiger reserves, allowing it only in buffer zones as per approved plans.
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Forest Conservation Act, 1980 prohibit unapproved commercial activity in core forest areas.
• This case highlights the tension between eco-tourism and strict environmental protection in India’s tiger reserves.