A group of 15 tourists had a narrow escape when the bus they were travelling in caught fire during a lion safari at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur, officials said on Monday. As smoke filled the bus, panic spread among the tourists, but the driver and staff promptly alerted the control room through wireless communication, following which a forest department team, including a ranger, arrived to evacuate the tourists and ensure their safety.
The incident occurred around 3.30 pm on Sunday. Moments after the evacuation, the smoke turned into flames, and the bus caught fire. The park’s fire engine tried to douse the fire, but when the flames grew uncontrollable, an additional fire engine was called from Amber. However, by the time the second fire engine arrived, the bus was completely engulfed in flames. This marks the second major incident in a month and a half, raising serious concerns about the safety arrangements at the park.
“Initial investigations suggest that a short circuit might have caused the fire,” an official said.
Deputy Conservator of Forest Vijay Pal Singh told The Indian Express that the fire caught due to short circuit. “We are investigating the case. As soon as we got to know about the incident, our teams immediately reached the spot and rescued the tourists. No one was injured or hurt,” said Singh.
Singh also said that no action has been taken yet when asked if anyone was being held responsible for negligence of maintaining the vehicle.
Vaibhav Pancholy, Environmental Solicitor and member of Nahargarh Bachao Samiti told The Indian Express, “The vehicles which are being used in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other leopard reserves are extremely old vehicles and apart from their age they are not maintained properly by the forest department. These types of vehicles are hazardous for tourism as well as environment. As per Supreme Court guidelines in the TN Godavarman case, electric vehicles must be promoted for the purpose of safari in order to ensure zero pollution apart from limiting its use on daily basis. The Nahargarh incident warrants inquiry as it is a cause of serious concern for the environment and tourism.”
Spread over 720 hectares, Nahargarh Biological Park is located about 12 km from Jaipur on the Jaipur-Delhi highway, under the Aravalli range. It is a part of the Nahargarh sanctuary and is known for its rich flora and fauna.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
