Chamarajanagara: A surge in tiger sightings and attacks has prompted the forest department to launch an intensive tiger Trapping operation in villages adjacent to the BRT Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district.
In response to heightened concerns, forest teams have started trapping activities using a specially-designed “walk-through cage” in the fields of Heggothara, Kalapura, and Ugenadahundi villages.
The innovative walk-through cage, measuring 30 feet in length and 10 feet in height, features a double-door mechanism that snaps shut from both sides as soon as a tiger steps inside, ensuring safe containment. This cage, brought in from Mysuru, is strategically placed along trails frequently used by tigers, making it more likely to succeed.
Once a tiger enters the cage unsuspectingly, both gates close automatically, trapping the animal securely. At Ugenadahundi, the cage has already been set up on farmland identified as a tiger movement zone.
To aid their efforts, over 20 camera traps have been installed across the affected areas, capturing clear evidence of tiger activity. More than 80 forest personnel are involved in the operation, with rapid response teams on standby to take urgent action if a big cat is spotted or a new incident occurs.
According to BRT Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Manjunath, precautionary measures are being followed in line with NTCA guidelines to ensure the safety of both villagers and the capture teams.
Local farmers, who have expressed fear about entering their own fields, have been assured of enhanced protection, and awareness campaigns about the ongoing combing operation are underway.
The urgency of the operation intensified after a recent fatality: Rajshekhar, a 55-year-old farmer from Bennegaré village, was killed in a tiger attack while returning from work with a colleague. This tragedy has further highlighted the need for swift and effective wildlife management around the BRT Tiger Reserve.
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