In a heartbreaking turn of events, a farmer tragically lost his life in a tiger attack near the Muliyuru range of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Saragur taluk this Friday. This incident further highlights the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region.
The victim has been identified as Doddaningaiah from Koodagi village. He was grazing his cattle in a field at Kurnigala around 4:30 p.m. when the tiger unexpectedly attacked, resulting in his death.
This marks the third such incident in Saragur taluk within a short period. In these alarming encounters, two farmers have tragically died, and another is currently fighting for his life in the hospital.
The unsettling frequency of these tiger attacks echoes a similar tragic period in late 2013 when four individuals lost their lives in the Bandipur area in under two weeks.
Forest department officials noted that the current attack, originating from the Muliyuru range, appears distinct from the previous two incidents near the Nugu wildlife sanctuary. The site of this latest tragedy is approximately 10 kilometers away from Bennegere village, where farmer Rajashekar was previously injured.
The Bandipur-Nagarahole region is home to an estimated 300 tigers, according to the 2022 report by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. While human-animal conflicts here traditionally involved elephants damaging crops or entering villages, there’s a concerning shift now. Tigers are increasingly approaching human settlements, preying on livestock, and sadly, causing human fatalities.
Just two days prior, during a visit to Mysuru, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre encountered strong public anger from villagers grappling with rising tiger conflicts. Despite an emergency meeting of top officials in Bandipur and the announcement of a new State-level task force to address human-wildlife issues, another farmer has tragically succumbed to a tiger attack.
While the Minister has ordered a reduction of one safari trip in both Bandipur and Nagarahole to minimize habitat disturbance, experts are questioning the effectiveness of this measure. They argue that the core issue lies in broader policy problems, and a slight reduction in safaris is merely a symbolic gesture, lacking any substantial impact on the underlying conflict.