Bijapur, Oct 31 Once known as a Maoist stronghold where the silence of dense forests was often shattered by gunfire, Chhattisgarh’s Indravati Tiger Reserve is set to welcome tourists for the first time, with a jungle safari from Sunday.
The initiative marks a significant change for the reserve, which derives its name from the Indravati river, in the tribal-dominated Bastar region. Located in Bijapur district, it was once considered a safe hideout for Maoist leaders due to its difficult terrain and dense forest cover.
“From November 1, tourists will be able to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the reserve through jungle safaris,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force Arun Pandey told PTI over the phone.
The initiative, being undertaken under the guidance of state Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap, is expected to promote tourism, wildlife conservation and employment opportunities for local communities, he said.
With the security situation improving and the state having declared the elimination of Left-Wing Extremism on March 31 this year, the region is looking to open a new chapter through tourism and conservation, Indravati Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Sumedh Surwade said.
There is also a misconception among some local residents that tiger reserves and wildlife conservation work against their financial interests. The safari initiative is also aimed at changing this perception by demonstrating how communities can benefit from protecting forests and wildlife, he said.
“There are success stories from tiger reserves such as Panna, Pench and Tadoba, where people voluntarily vacated (villages located in core areas) and are now reaping the benefits. This is a small step in that direction,” he said.
The reserve, located around 500 km from the state capital Raipur and sharing a border with Maharashtra, is India’s fourth-largest tiger reserve in terms of area. Indravati was declared a national park in 1981 and brought under Project Tiger in 1982-83, an official statement said.
Spread over 2,799.07 sq km, the reserve has a core area of 1,258.37 sq km and a buffer zone of 1,540.70 sq km. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, wild buffaloes, gaurs, chital and otters, besides rare bird species such as Indian vultures and white-rumped vultures, it said.
In the first phase, a safari route of around 9 km has been developed, starting from Ullur village.
Four vehicles have been made available for visitors, with the safari fee fixed at Rs 2,000. The number of vehicles will be increased in line with tourist footfall and the expansion of tourism activities, Surwade said.
To make the experience more informative, trained local guides will accompany visitors and explain the wildlife, biodiversity and natural features of the reserve. Six local youths have been trained to work as guides and safari vehicle drivers, he said.
A refreshment centre designed on the theme of traditional mud houses has also been set up near the safari gate, where visitors can sample local food and refreshments in a rural setting, Surwade said.
The initiative is expected to create livelihood opportunities for local youths and villagers through guiding, driving, homestays, food services and other tourism-related activities, he said.
It will also provide a platform to promote local handicrafts, traditional cuisine, tribal art and culture, he added.
Plans are also being considered to introduce jungle safaris in other parts of the reserve in the future, he said.
While tourists will get an opportunity to explore the rich natural heritage of Bastar, the initiative is also expected to strengthen the local economy and give fresh momentum to the social and economic development of Bijapur district, Surwade said.
The opening comes against the backdrop of a significant change in the security landscape of the Indravati National Park area, which witnessed several encounters between security forces and Maoists in recent years.
In February 2025, security forces killed 31 Maoists in one of the biggest anti-Naxal operations in the state, in the reserve area. Senior Maoist leaders Sudhakar and Bhaskar were also killed in an encounter in the same region in June last year.
(PTI News)
