Amid the tragic deaths of farmers due to increasing tiger attacks in Mysore region, Karnataka Forest Minister Ishwar B. Khandre ordered the immediate closure of safari operations in Nagarhole and Bandipur along with suspension of trekking activities in human-wildlife conflict areas.
The Minister has directed that all available forest personnel be deployed in the operation to capture the tiger responsible for repeated attacks on humans. In a written instruction to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Mr Khandre expressed deep grief over the death of Choudaiah Naika (35), who was killed in a tiger attack near Hal Heggodilu village in the Molloyur range of Saragur taluk in Mysuru district on the morning of November 7. He ordered that both safari operations would remain closed until further notice, and the services of officers and safari staff would be diverted to support the operation to capture the tiger.
The minister said that in the last one month, three people have lost their lives in tiger attacks along the Nagarhole-Bandipur forests in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, which he described as extremely tragic. Recalling the meetings held in Bandipur on October 27 and in Chamarajanagar on November 2, in which Chamarajanagar district in-charge minister K. Venkatesh, Mysuru district in-charge and Social Welfare Minister Dr.
H. C.
Mahadevappa and local MLA Mr Khandre said clear instructions have been issued to intensify efforts to capture the tiger and to be prepared to stop safari operations if necessary. “Nevertheless, the recurrence of such a tragic incident is shocking,” he said.
In the wake of the deaths caused by the tiger attack on November 7, the minister has ordered that tracking be suspended in conflict-hit areas, and all officials, safari staff and vehicle drivers be redeployed to operations to capture the tiger. He has also directed additional PCCF (Wildlife) and Project Tiger directors to set up camps at the site and personally monitor the efforts to capture the tiger.