An extensive search is currently underway in two distinct areas of Mysuru’s Saragur taluk following a series of tragic tiger attacks that have claimed the lives of two local farmers in recent days.
One of the victims, Doddaningaiah from Kudagi village, tragically died in a tiger attack last Friday near Kurnigala village, which borders the Muliyuru range of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR). Just days prior, on October 26, another farmer, Rajashekar, was killed in a similar incident in Bennegere village, located close to the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary, also bordering Bandipur.
Adding to the growing concern, a third farmer from Badagalpura, another village near Nugu, suffered severe injuries in an attack a few days earlier and is now fighting for his life in the hospital.
Forest Department personnel, including the elite Special Tiger Force, launched their combing operations near the Muliyuru range on Saturday. They are meticulously searching the area for any signs of the elusive big cats. According to Prabhakaran, Deputy Conservator of Forests and Director of BTR, numerous camera traps have been strategically placed at key locations to track tiger movements. Furthermore, two trained elephants from department camps have been pressed into service to assist with the search.
Another dedicated team is simultaneously combing the Bennegere area, where Rajashekar was fatally attacked on October 26. Mr. Prabhakaran confirmed that a total of 50 camera traps have been installed across both search zones to enhance detection efforts.
To bolster the ongoing efforts, the government has temporarily assigned over 50 additional staff members to Bandipur. These reinforcements will be strategically positioned in areas identified as high-risk zones for human-wildlife encounters.
This additional workforce will serve for an initial period of 15 days, from November 1 to 15, providing much-needed support to the existing field staff.
Particular attention will be paid to the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary, Hediyala, Moliyuru, and their surrounding vicinities, which have witnessed a concerning surge in tiger attacks recently.
Authorities clarify that this is a provisional arrangement, and the deployment period for these additional staff members may be extended if the situation warrants it.
In a gesture of solidarity and condolence, Mysuru District Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, accompanied by other senior officials, visited Koodagi village on Saturday to pay their final respects to the late farmer Doddaningaiah.
Farmer groups, including representatives from the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, also visited the grieving village. They voiced serious concerns over the escalating human-wildlife conflict, highlighting the palpable fear now gripping farmers in communities adjacent to the forest areas.