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In a major step to strengthen wildlife tourism, the Madhya Pradesh government has amended its
jungle safari rules, allowing hotels and resorts to organize safaris for their guests. This long-
awaited move from the tourism and hospitality sector aims to make jungle experiences more
accessible and appealing to both domestic and international travelers.
The amendment, made under Rule 34 of the Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 1974, now permits resort
and hotel operators to register their own vehicles for safaris, even for non-resident tourists. The
state has simplified the process with a reservation fee of just ₹10 per person and a registration
charge of ₹2,000 for private safari gypsies.
To manage bookings efficiently, the government has allocated a 10% ticket quota for petrol
vehicles, while 90% of the tickets will be available online for general tourists. Within this 90%:
- 70% are reserved for full-vehicle bookings,
- 10% for single-seat safaris, and 10% for Tatkal (instant) bookings, available a day before the safari after 2 PM.
To further promote tourism in lesser-known destinations, safari fees in Ratnapani,
Madhav, and Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserves have been reduced to 50% of the
standard rate charged at Bandhavgarh and Satpura. This move is expected to draw
more visitors to these areas and distribute tourism more evenly across the state.
By opening jungle safaris to private hotel and resort operators, Madhya Pradesh has
taken a progressive step toward boosting local tourism, creating job opportunities,
and reinforcing its image as India’s “Tiger State.”