Forest Department Orders Dashcams For Ranthambore Safari Vehicles

All tourist vehicles operating in the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur will now be required to install dashboard cameras, according to an order issued on Wednesday. The order, issued by the Forest Department, aims to curb irregularities during safaris.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (Tourism) Sanjeev Sharma said that in compliance with the directions of the chief wildlife warden, owners of all gypsies and canters have been instructed to install dashboard cameras to prevent vehicles from going too close to tigers.

One-Month Deadline Set

According to the order, all tourist vehicles must install the cameras within one month. Vehicles failing to comply will not be permitted to enter the park area. Vehicle owners have been directed to inform the tourism office after installing the cameras, and action will be taken against those found violating the order. There are currently 567 tourist vehicles operating in Ranthambore, including 269 gypsies and 298 canters, he said.

Concerns Over Conduct In Tiger Reserves

Safari operations in Ranthambore and other national parks have faced scrutiny over repeated violations of wildlife rules, including vehicles getting too close to tigers, making unauthorised U-turns, guides abandoning tourists mid-safari, and visitors feeding animals. In August 2025, a routine tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park turned distressing when a canter carrying 20 tourists, including women and children, broke down in Zone 6, a core tiger habitat. The tourists were stranded in the dense forest for over 90 minutes following the incident on the evening of August 16.

Earlier, in May 2025, a forest ranger was killed by a tigress in a restricted zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. A few days later, senior officials were found escorting their guests on a jeep safari through the same sensitive area, despite clear orders restricting access.

With inputs from PTI

FAQs

Why are dashcams being made mandatory in safari vehicles?
Dashcams are being introduced to curb irregularities during safaris, monitor vehicle movement, and ensure that drivers and guides follow wildlife protection rules.

Which vehicles are required to install the cameras?
All tourist vehicles operating inside Ranthambore National Park, including gypsies and canters, are required to install dashboard cameras.

What kind of violations can be monitored through dashcams?
The cameras can help detect vehicles getting too close to animals, unauthorised route deviations or U-turns, unsafe driving, and other breaches of safari guidelines.

What happens if a vehicle does not install a dashcam?
Vehicles that fail to comply with the order within the stipulated deadline will not be allowed to enter the park and may face further action under forest regulations.

Who will monitor the camera footage?
The Forest Department will oversee compliance, and footage may be used to verify complaints or investigate alleged violations during safaris.