Recognised in the India Book of Records, Bandipur Yuva Mitra is a unique youth awareness programme launched at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve by the Karnataka Forest Department.

Surrounded by 136 villages, Bandipur is home to thousands of students who live close to the forest but often know little about what lies within it. Bandipur Yuva Mitra aims to bridge this gap by creating awareness among 14,000 to 15,000 students every year, transforming them into informed and responsible friends of the forest.

The programme introduces students to Bandipur through classroom sessions, followed by guided visits and safaris, offering first-hand exposure to the reserve’s rich wildlife—including tigers, leopards, and elephants. Teachers are also trained, ensuring that awareness spreads from schools to families, and from families to the wider community.

In the long run, these students become active participants in conservation efforts, supporting activities such as wildlife surveys and forest monitoring. More importantly, they evolve into a powerful social fence—protecting Bandipur not through physical barriers, but through awareness, pride, and collective responsibility.

Running 266 days a year, from Monday to Friday, Bandipur Yuva Mitra stands out as one of the most innovative and impactful conservation education programmes in the country, nurturing future custodians of India’s forests.