A recent tragedy in Chamarajanagar district’s M.M. Hills, where two adult tigers and four of their cubs were poisoned to death, has prompted a strong response from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. On Wednesday, he issued a clear warning: those responsible for such heinous acts against wildlife will face rigorous prosecution.
The Chief Minister underscored the critical link between thriving animal populations and the health of forest ecosystems, stating that the very existence of forests—and by extension, our planet—is contingent upon the survival of its wild inhabitants.
During the closing ceremony of the 71st Wildlife Week celebrations, where he honored Forest and Environment Department personnel with Chief Minister’s medals, Siddaramaiah declared, “Forests and wildlife are intrinsically linked. Anyone who harms them will be held accountable under the full force of the law, without any exceptions.”
He further stressed that his administration would have zero tolerance for acts such as the deliberate poisoning of tigers.
Karnataka’s Prized Tigers and Elephants
Highlighting Karnataka’s significant role in conservation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pointed out that the state leads the nation in elephant population and holds the second-highest tiger population. He emphasized the crucial need to foster a balanced coexistence between human communities and these magnificent wild animals.
He urged forest officials to intensify their efforts, acting with heightened responsibility and vigilance to safeguard wildlife. “Severe measures will be taken against anyone found to be killing tigers or any other protected species,” he reiterated.
Siddaramaiah also warned that the ongoing degradation of forest areas poses a direct threat not just to wildlife, but to human survival in the long term.
Separately, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre appealed to all forest staff to dedicate themselves to preventing further encroachment on forest lands with honesty and unwavering commitment. He acknowledged the challenges in expanding existing forest areas, underscoring that the primary focus must now be on diligently protecting what remains.
Pioneering Solar Power for Bannerghatta
Minister Khandre also announced an exciting development: a new megawatt captive solar power plant is currently being installed at Bannerghatta Biological Park. This ambitious project aims to fulfill all of the park’s present and future energy requirements, making it India’s first fully eco-friendly biological park to run entirely on solar energy. The inauguration of this pioneering plant is scheduled for next week.