Jaipur: Jungle safari and other tourism activities in the core areas of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) and Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) will remain closed till Sept 30 due to the monsoon season and wildlife breeding cycle, officials said Tuesday.The decision follows guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan.Authorities said the annual closure has been implemented, keeping in view the sensitive breeding period of tigers and other wild species, the deteriorating condition of forest tracks during rains, and the safety of visitors. Heavy monsoon showers often damage safari routes, making movement inside the core forest areas risky and difficult.“In Ranthambore, the ongoing tourism season has concluded, with core zones 1 to 5 closed from July 1 for the next three months. However, buffer zones 6 to 10 will continue to remain open for limited tourist activity,” a senior official said.The forest department has released seasonal figures indicating strong tourist inflow this year, with 6 lakh 77 thousand visitors exploring the reserve. The park also generated approximately Rs 70 crore in revenue for the state govt from tourism activities.Similarly, Sariska Tiger Reserve has closed core-area tourism from July 1 to Sept 30 and will reopen for regular safari operations on Oct 1. Officials said restricting human movement during the monsoon helps wildlife breed undisturbed while supporting natural habitat recovery. Dense vegetation growth during this period also strengthens ecological balance and forest regeneration.Despite the closure, limited tourism will continue in designated buffer areas and the Pandupol region on specific days, allowing visitors religious and nature-based experiences in a controlled manner.A senior official added that leopard safari in Jhalana will continue as usual. Newly developed tiger reserves, including Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve and the Ramgarh Vishdhari buffer area, will also remain open for safari activities.
