Minister Eshwar Khandre Orders Immediate Ban on Nagarahole and Bandipur Safaris Amid Rising Tiger Attacks
Bengaluru/Bidar: Karnataka’s Forest, Zoology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has issued strict orders to immediately suspend safaris in the Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves and halt trekking activities in human-wildlife conflict zones.
The directive was communicated in writing to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Wardens following a fatal tiger attack near Hale Heggodilu village in the Saraguru taluk, Moleyuru range. Early this morning, a man named Choudayya Naik, aged 35, succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident. Minister Khandre expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
He instructed authorities to deploy staff primarily for tiger capture operations in these areas and suspend all safari activities until further orders. Over the past month, three tragic fatalities from tiger attacks have been reported within the Bandipur and Nagarahole forest regions covering Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. These developments have caused significant distress among officials and the public alike.
Following the tiger attack on October 27, a meeting of officials was convened in Bandipur. Additionally, on November 2, a dialogue involving the district in-charge Minister K. Venkatesh, Social Welfare Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, lawmakers, farmers, and local residents took place in Chamarajanagar to discuss comprehensive tiger capture measures and also caution against continued safari operations.
Despite these warnings, the recurrence of such a fatal event has shocked the community. Consequently, restricting all activities related to safaris in Nagarahole and Bandipur and trekking in conflict zones has become imperative. Minister Khandre ordered that all officers, drivers, and personnel involved in these safari operations be reassigned to tiger capture efforts.
The Forest Department’s APCCF and Tiger Project Directors have been instructed to take immediate on-ground action to capture the aggressive tiger responsible for repeated attacks in the area.
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