Bengaluru : Following a surge in tiger attacks in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, the Forest Department has launched an intensive operation to capture the tigers responsible.
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered the immediate suspension of safari and trekking activities in the Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves until further notice, directing all available personnel to focus on the tiger capture mission.
The order, issued on Friday, comes after the tragic death of three people within a month in tiger attacks near the forest fringes of these reserves. Minister Khandre expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, stating that protecting human lives must be the department’s top priority.
“In view of the recurring tiger attacks, all safaris and trekking in human-wildlife conflict zones are to be stopped immediately. All officers, drivers, and field staff currently deployed in Bandipur and Nagarhole safari operations must be reassigned to assist in tiger capture efforts,” the minister said in his written directive to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and the Chief Wildlife Warden.
Khandre reminded that earlier review meetings were held on October 27 in Bandipur and November 2 in Chamarajanagar, attended by District In-charge Minister K. Venkatesh, Social Welfare Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, MLAs, and local farmers. During those discussions, forest officials were warned of potential safari closures if attacks continued and were instructed to take proactive measures to capture the big cats.
He added that during public consultations, villagers had complained that constant safari movements were disturbing wildlife, driving tigers closer to human settlements. “It is painful that despite repeated warnings and meetings, another horrific incident has occurred today,” he said.
The forest department has now deployed special combing teams and senior officers of the Wildlife Division and Tiger Project to monitor operations on-site. Minister Khandre emphasized that the tiger responsible for repeated attacks must be captured swiftly to prevent further loss of life.
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