Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Mysore, Nov 3 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reacting to the rising incidents of tiger attacks in his native Mysore district and neighboring Chamarajanagar district, on Monday announced that he will soon chair a meeting with concerned ministers and officials.
He also assured strict action against illegal resorts running in forest areas.
Interacting with reporters here, CM Siddaramaiah, responding to questions about the increase in tiger attacks in the region, said, “Tiger attacks on people are increasing. Firstly, people are venturing into the forests, and the number of safari trips has increased. Resorts have also been built within the forest areas. Secondly, there is inadequate availability of food and water for the wildlife.”
“Thirdly, there is the problem of leopards within the forest. Due to all these reasons, wild animals like elephants, tigers, leopards and wild boars are wandering out of the forests.”
“Yesterday (Sunday) Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre and others held a meeting. I will also hold a meeting soon. We will definitely take action against illegal resorts. Action will be initiated against whoever has constructed the resorts illegally,” he stressed.
“We have also directed officials to reduce the number of safari trips in the forests,” Siddaramaiah said.
Family members and villagers cornered Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Khandre in Mysuru on October 27 when he visited a mortuary to condole the death of a farmer killed in a tiger attack. The family and villagers expressed their anger and questioned the minister on the failure of the authorities which led to the tragedy.
Rajasekhar, 54, was killed in a tiger attack while grazing cattle near Mulluru village in Saragur taluk of Mysuru district on October 26. Villagers alleged that though forest officials had kept a track of the tiger’s movement, they failed to install a cage, resulting in the death of the farmer.
This was the second incident of a farmer being killed by a tiger in Mysuru district within 15 days. The villagers were also angry that Khandre did not go to the spot or meet the victim’s family despite attending a nearby function.
Farmer activists alleged that authorities have failed to respond adequately to repeated tiger attacks and warned that they may have to file cases against officials. “This is the second death in just 15 days and it is unfortunate that Minister Khandre did not visit the victim’s family despite being nearby,” said an activist.
Khandre had said: “The victim was attacked by a tiger while grazing cattle in the forest. Man-animal conflict is nothing new; it has been in existence for hundreds of years. We must create a conducive environment where humans and wildlife can live together. Over the years, forest areas have been encroached upon, and the population of wild animals has increased.”
He had said, “The family will be compensated and I will try to ensure additional financial assistance for them. Illegal resorts running in forest areas will also be removed.”
–IANS
mka/vd