Gujarat will reopen all its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks to tourists from October 9, 2026, ahead of the Navratri and Diwali festive season. The Forest Department has taken the decision following the end of the monsoon season and improved road conditions across the state.
According to the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office, the reopening will make it easier for visitors to access the state’s wildlife destinations during the upcoming festive period. Tourists will be permitted to enter the protected areas in accordance with guidelines issued by the Forest Department.
The department will regulate tourist activities to minimise disturbance to wildlife and protect the natural environment. Measures will be implemented to ensure that visitor movement and other tourism activities do not interfere with animals or their habitats.
The reopening is also expected to support local communities by generating employment opportunities linked to tourism. Increased visitor activity could benefit local services and businesses around the state’s wildlife destinations during the upcoming holiday season.
Gujarat’s decision comes after several prominent wildlife destinations across India reopened for tourists from October 1 following the monsoon period. These include Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, Satpura and Pench tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, and Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves in Karnataka.
With the reopening coinciding with the festive travel period, Gujarat’s sanctuaries and national parks are expected to see increased visitor interest. The Forest Department will continue to regulate access and tourism activities under prescribed guidelines, balancing visitor opportunities with wildlife conservation and protection.