Chamarajanagar, Nov. 3 -- Days after reducing the number of safaris at Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves, citing rising man-animal conflict, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Sunday warned that safaris would be suspended entirely if the situation is not brought under control.

Speaking at a coordination meeting of Forest, Revenue and Police officials at the Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat auditorium, the Minister asserted that staff shortage cannot be an excuse for the increasing incidents of conflict in districts adjoining forest areas. "If there aren't enough personnel to manage conflict-prone areas, then staff deployed for safari duties must be reassigned," Khandre said.

Meeting after two deaths

The Minister's remarks came after ...