Bandipur, March 12 -- Karnataka Forest and Environment Minister Ishwar B Khandre has defended the State government's decision to temporarily suspend safari operations in Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks last November, stating that the move was taken to protect human lives after a series of wildlife attacks.

Speaking in the Assembly during the Question and Answer session, Khandre was responding to Leader of the Opposition R Ashok who said that over 4,000 people had lost their jobs due to the suspension of safaris. Safaris have been going on across the country for many years and it is not right to stop safaris suddenly without conducting a survey, he said.

The forest minister said that the safaris were not stopped suddenly. Three pr...