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Bidar, November 7 (IANS) Following the backlash over the incident of a farmer killed in a tiger attack, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ishwar B. Khandre on Friday directed officials to immediately suspend safari operations in Nagarhole and Bandipur tiger reserves.
Minister Ishwar Khandre directed to deploy all available staff for the ongoing tiger capture operation in areas affected by man-wildlife conflict.
He has issued written instructions in this regard to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and the Chief Wildlife Warden.
Minister Khandre today expressed deep grief over the death of a farmer killed in a tiger attack near Hale Heggodilu village in Molayur range of Saragur taluk.
He has further ordered that safaris in both the reserves will remain suspended until further notice, and all officers and staff involved in safari operations will be redeployed to assist in the tiger capture mission.
Expressing grief, Khandre said three people have lost their lives in tiger attacks in the forest fringes of Bandipur and Nagarhole in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts in the last month.
Minister Khandre recalled, “After the recent attacks, a meeting of senior officials was held in Bandipur on October 27 and a public interaction was held in Chamarajanagar on November 2 in the presence of district in-charge minister K Venkatesh, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa and several MLAs, during which discussions were held with farmers and local residents.”
He said that during these meetings the officials were instructed to take all possible measures to capture the tiger and were also warned to suspend safari operations if the situation worsened.
Minister Khandre expressed disappointment, saying it was unfortunate that despite those warnings, another attack took place.
In this context, the government has ordered suspension of all safaris and trekking, including walking trail activities, in tiger-conflict areas from today till further orders, he said.
All officers, drivers and staff currently engaged in safari operations in Bandipur and Nagarhole have been directed to assist in the efforts to capture the tiger. Minister Khandre said the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) and Project Tiger Directors of both the reserves have been directed to set up camps at the location and take immediate steps to capture the tiger responsible for the repeated attacks.
A farmer died in a tiger attack in Karnataka’s Mysuru district on Friday. Repeated incidents of tiger attacks on farmers in the area have raised serious concerns about the safety of residents.
This incident has come to light from Haleheggodillu village of Saragur taluk of Mysuru district.
The attack took place in Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary. Notably, the 58-year-old victim had survived an elephant attack about eight months ago. The tiger reportedly attacked him while he was visiting his farm.
According to forest officials, the tiger had eaten parts of the victim’s head and thigh. This is the third death in the region due to tiger attacks in recent times.
–IANS
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