India's Tiger Reserves Ban Smartphone Photography on Safaris

In response to a Supreme Court decision in 2025, numerous tiger reserves in India, such as Ranthambore National Park, have prohibited mobile phones in key tourism areas to address issues like overcrowding, unsafe behaviors among tourists, and the detrimental effects of social media on endangered species. Tourists are required to either switch off their phones or store them away during safaris. This initiative was prompted by viral videos showing a tiger encircled by safari vehicles at Ranthambore, illustrating the problem of 'safari jams' fueled by geotagging and instant messaging. While dedicated cameras and DSLRs can be used with prior registration, access to roads is restricted from dusk to dawn to encourage sustainable tourism. India hosts over 3,600 wild Bengal tigers, constituting around 75% of the world's population. Similar measures are being adopted in other countries, including Kenya and Norway's Svalbard region.