Mobile phones have now been banned on safari drives across several of India’s major tiger reserves, following fresh directions linked to Supreme Court guidelines aimed at reducing human disturbance inside core wildlife habitats, marking a significant shift in park regulations.
The ban applies to prominent reserves including Ranthambhore National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Satpura National Park, Panna National Park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, and Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. While Tadoba and Umred have enforced the rule for some time, other central Indian parks have now followed suit.
The decision comes after growing concern from forest officials about how widespread mobile phone use had unintentionally fuelled unsafe and disruptive behaviour: tourists raising voices, clustering vehicles around a sighting to film reels, calling guides and other drivers to specific animal locations, and pushing for closer encounters than are safe for wildlife or people. This kind of interference can alter movement patterns of tigers, leopards, deer and other animals by causing multiple vehicles to block their natural routes, generate excessive noise, and break the quiet that forms part of their habitat’s ecological balance.
Authorities say the ban is meant to restore discipline and ensure that tourism does not override conservation priorities.
Under the new rule, visitors are not allowed to carry or use mobile phones inside safari zones. In many parks, phones must be deposited at the entry gate or handed to guides before the drive begins. Drivers and guides may carry a device strictly for emergencies. Cameras, however, remain permitted under existing regulations.
Officials have warned that violating the rule could lead to fines, cancellation of safari permits or other penalties. Authorities have advised that guests be informed in advance to plan their safari experiences accordingly.
