Chhattisgarh opened Indravati Tiger Reserve in Bijapur district to tourists on 1 November 2026, the state’s foundation day. Hindustan Times reports that this is the first time in about four decades that visitors can enter the reserve, which was set up in 1983 and covers about 2,800 square kilometres. Officials have identified a 33 km safari route and prepared a 9 km stretch from Ullur to Dandaparti for now. Four Gypsy vehicles will run safaris at ₹2,000 per vehicle per day. Six local youths have been trained as guides and drivers.
The reserve lies in Bastar, a region long affected by Maoist violence, which kept tourists away. Hindustan Times quotes O P Yadav, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests for wildlife, on the opening, and reports that the reserve has about six tigers. The forest department is promoting homestays, which are rooms in local homes rented to visitors. Hotel supply near the reserve is thin. Wildlife tourism in central India already draws large numbers to reserves such as Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
Our view is that Indravati will grow slowly at first and favour small local operators over large hotels. Homestay owners and local guides gain first, while established central Indian safari parks lose little in the near term because Indravati has few tigers and few rooms. Coverage has not covered road access, mobile coverage or medical help for visitors, which matter to tour operators. Other reserves that opened after long closures built visitor numbers over several seasons, not in one. We expect the state to add more safari vehicles or open more of the 33 km route before the end of the 2026 to 2027 season, and at least one private eco lodge proposal within 18 months. Confidence: low.
This is important for our readers because a new wildlife destination has opened in a region with almost no tourist rooms. If you run a wildlife travel business, contact the forest department this week to learn about booking rules. If you operate eco lodges, assess land and permits near Bijapur. Check safety advisories before you send guests.
Sources:
Hindustan Times, 1 Nov 2026
PTI, Oct 2026
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