Jaipur, 9 Dec 2025{ A safari bus carrying 15 tourists caught fire on Sunday afternoon while cruising through the lion habitat of Nahargarh Biological Park, jolting the park’s safety management into sharp scrutiny.
Panic inside the lion safari, but timely evacuation averted tragedy
According to forest officials, the incident occurred around 3:30–4:00 pm when the bus part of the park’s regular safari fleet began emitting smoke, apparently due to a suspected electrical short circuit.
As smoke rapidly filled the bus, the driver and staff alerted the park control room via wireless communication. Within minutes, a forest department team including rangers reached the site and evacuated all tourists to safety. A rescue bus ferried them out of the area.
Shortly after the evacuation, flames engulfed the vehicle. Firefighters, including responders from the forest department and local fire brigade, reached the scene and though they battled the blaze, the bus was completely destroyed. Fortunately, no tourists were injured and no wildlife was harmed.
A second lapse in six weeks and growing safety concerns
This is the second major safety incident at Nahargarh park in about six weeks. In late October, another safari bus this time during a tiger safari got stuck in a muddy pit when a tiger was spotted nearby, causing panic.
In light of the latest fire, the park management has launched a full technical inspection of all safari-fleet vehicles, and is reviewing maintenance protocols. The bus involved is already under examination.
Activists and wildlife-safety advocates including RTI activist Rajendra Tiwari slammed the use of old and poorly maintained vehicles. They argued that outdated buses pose a danger not only to tourists but also to the fragile forest ecosystem.
With over 700 hectares of forest and a rich population of Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and hundreds of bird, reptile and insect species, Nahargarh Biological Park draws thousands of visitors each month. On Sunday alone, the park recorded more than 2,300 visitors and 460 safari rides.
What needs to change calls for stronger protocols and fleet revamp
The close call has reignited calls for stricter safety norms at wildlife safaris especially those operating inside dense forest zones with dangerous predators nearby. Experts say that such vehicles must be:
- Regularly maintained, with periodic electrical and mechanical checks.
- Equipped with fire-extinguishers, smoke alarms and emergency exits.
- Replaced if found outdated particularly before they traverse predator zones.
As investigations continue, both tourists and environmentalists are urging the park authorities and the Rajasthan Forest Department to enforce these measures not only for visitor safety but also to safeguard wildlife and forest integrity.