Human–wildlife conflict: CM Siddaramaiah orders intensified drone surveillance, scientific strategy
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday directed the Forest Department to strengthen drone-based surveillance and adopt scientific methods to curb rising instances of human–wildlife conflict across the state. He instructed officials to consult wildlife experts, including Krupakar Senani and Sanjay Gubbi, to frame a robust, science-driven action plan.
Siddaramaiah chaired a high-level review meeting to discuss a comprehensive state-level strategy for conflict prevention and rapid response. Expressing concern over the increasing movement of tigers outside forest zones, he said 15–20 ageing or injured tigers are currently straying into human habitations and should be tracked and captured immediately using drone cameras. “All required staff and funding will be provided. Prompt action is essential to safeguard lives,” he said.
He added that eight trained kumki elephants are already being deployed in operations and instructed officials to increase staff strength and specialised squads in conflict-prone regions. Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Hassan, Mysuru and Ramanagar districts have recorded the highest number of human casualties in recent years.
The Chief Minister noted that human deaths from wildlife attacks have reduced by nearly 30% in 2024–25 compared to the previous three years but stressed that the pressure from wildlife venturing out in search of food must be addressed. He directed officials to ensure water availability inside forests during summer and intensify efforts to clear invasive lantana weeds that restrict wildlife movement and reduce food sources.
Eight key directives laid out
Siddaramaiah outlined an eight-point protocol for conflict prevention and rapid response:
- Identify conflict hotspots and prepare a detailed list of conflict categories.
- Deploy staff based on intensity and type of conflict.
- Increase patrolling and maintain registers in forest-edge villages.
- Senior officers must frequently camp in high-risk villages.
- Identify and train local residents as “Forest Mitras” to assist in rescue and surveillance.
- Provide 24×7 vehicles and forest staff in wildlife movement corridors.
- Conduct mock drills to educate villagers on response during wildlife attacks.
- Form coordination committees at district and taluk levels.
Wildlife numbers and casualties
Karnataka is home to 6,395 elephants—the highest in India—563 tigers (second highest) and 1,879 leopards (third highest). Despite enhanced monitoring, human fatalities continue: the state recorded 57 deaths in 2022–23, 65 in 2023–24, 46 in 2024–25 and 32 so far in 2025–26.
