After remaining largely inaccessible for nearly four decades, Chhattisgarh’s Indravati Tiger Reserve in the Bastar region is set to reopen to tourists from November 1.
Located in Bijapur district, the 2,799.07 sq km reserve is among the largest tiger reserves in central India. It includes 1,258.37 sq km of critical tiger habitat and a 1,540.70 sq km buffer zone.
Indravati was brought under Project Tiger in 1983, but prolonged Left Wing Extremism severely restricted access to large parts of the forest. The security situation has improved in recent years, allowing forest officials to increase patrolling and reach areas that had remained difficult to access.
The forest department is now preparing for the reopening. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Arun Pandey said vehicles were being purchased for safaris and routes were being prepared. Initially, tourists are expected to be taken to two or three destinations within the reserve.
Deputy Director of Indravati Tiger Reserve Sumedh Survade said LWE had previously restricted forest department staff from accessing around 70% of the reserve, affecting regular field operations and wildlife protection.
Improved access is now providing officials with a better picture of the reserve’s biodiversity. An internal census conducted in February-March 2025 recorded between 14 and 17 wild buffaloes in Indravati. The reserve is also home to leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, chital, wild boar and nilgai.
State-level figures presented to the forest minister currently put the number of tigers in Indravati at six. However, officials have cautioned that the figure should not be considered final. The latest All India Tiger Estimation is underway, and a scientifically compiled population estimate will be available only after the exercise is completed.
Earlier assessments were conducted mainly in areas that officials could access. With field operations expanding, authorities expect future surveys to provide a more comprehensive picture of the tiger population.
The reserve has also recently produced an unexpected wildlife record. A smooth-coated otter was sighted in the area, a species that officials said had not previously been recorded there. According to Survade, the sighting highlights the rich biodiversity of Indravati.
The forest also has considerable arachnid diversity, including crab spiders, signature spiders, spiny orb-weavers and the Indian ornamental tarantula.
Tourists visiting Indravati are expected to get a different experience from established tiger reserves. Apart from wildlife, the tourism programme is intended to showcase the wider forest ecosystem as well as the tribal culture and heritage of Bastar.
However, tourism will be introduced cautiously. Safari zones and routes are being finalised in accordance with the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s Tiger Conservation Plan. A carrying-capacity assessment will determine how many vehicles and visitors can enter the reserve each day.
Security remains another key consideration. Although officials currently report no threat from armed LWE groups, police will conduct a security assessment after the safari routes are finalised. Some parts of the reserve may continue to remain out of bounds.
The forest department also hopes tourism will create livelihood opportunities for local communities. Residents could work as guides, drivers and hospitality providers, while homestays and local tribal products may also be promoted.
Officials have stressed that conservation will remain the priority. Vulnerable areas and stretches prone to human-wildlife conflict are being assessed for measures such as fencing and cattle-proof trenches, while ensuring that wildlife movement is not blocked.
For the first time in decades, Indravati is preparing to welcome visitors. The challenge will be to open the reserve to tourism while preserving the remote character and ecological balance that have helped its wildlife survive away from heavy tourist pressure.
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