The order comes after a 33-year-old woman tourist died during a clash between two elephants at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a safari in an open camper vehicle at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Sunday. (File photo)

Synopsis: 

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to replace open camper vehicles with secured buses for safari operations across the State’s tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries after a tourist died at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu. He also ordered officials to fit existing safari vehicles with iron-bar grills or shatterproof glass, equip them with first-aid kits, and ensure ambulance services.

Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to replace open camper vehicles with buses for safari operations across the State’s five tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

The order comes after a 33-year-old woman tourist died during a clash between two elephants at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu.

Khandre said the State would replace open camper vehicles with fully secured buses to improve tourists’ safety during safaris. As an interim measure, existing vehicles will be fitted with iron-bar grills or shatterproof glass, he said.

He further directed officials to equip every safari vehicle with a first-aid kit and ensure ambulance services near safari centres and elephant camps.

Dubare incident

On Monday, May 18, 33-year-old Juneshe was crushed to death at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu after she was caught in a fight between two Dasara elephants, Kanjan and Jai Marthanda.

Jai Marthanda was being bathed by tourists as part of an activity offered at the camp when Kanjan was brought nearby to drink water.

Kanjan then reportedly attacked Jai Marthanda, triggering a clash between the two elephants.

During the fight, one of the elephants reportedly lost balance and fell on the tourist, who was taking part in the bathing activity. Jai Marthanda sustained injuries to its head, ears and back during the fight. The elephant succumbed to its injuries the next day.

(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Anisha Reddy)

source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / South First / Home / South First Desk / by Dese Gowda and inputs Anisha Reddy / May 21st, 2026

Sooryaprakasha (female) Photo| Express

The species was named after late botanist Dr Sooryaprakash Shenoy. According to the team, Shenoy was an eminent botanist and head scientist at the Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Mangaluru.

Kasaragod :

A species of damselfly that was discovered in Kodagu last year was recently spotted in Kasaragod.

“Damselflies like dragonflies indicate a healthier ecosystem,” said Muhammed Haneef K A, assistant professor of botany at Thalassery Government Brennen College.

He along with fellow researchers discovered the Protosticta sooryaprakashi, which they named the Kodagu shadowdamsel. The team published its findings in the peer reviewed journal Zootaxa.

The species was named after late botanist Dr Sooryaprakash Shenoy. According to the team, Shenoy was an eminent botanist and head scientist at the Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Mangaluru. He was widely regarded for his efforts towards biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats.

“The damselfly stands apart with a bluish-white prothoracic marking, duck-head-shaped genital tips, and distinct caudal appendage structure. It is also the smallest of its species,” said Haneef.

Sooryaprakasha (male)

Haneef was on a field trip in Panathur region in Kasaragod when he spotted the damselfly. “We later spotted it in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. We believe its presence in Wayanad is also due to the region’s micro-climate, which is similar to that of Kodagu,” he said.

Nearly 80% of the protosticta genus flies in the country are endemic to the Western Ghats.

Dragon and damselflies are carnivores which feed on small insects, especially mosquitoes. The Protosticta sooryaprakashi is found in micro-climates with running forest streams, clean water and lots of shade. “The presence of this delicate fly indicates the health of the micro-climate,” Haneef said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Kerala / by Arockiaraj J / May 20th, 2026