Parts of Tumkur district are in a grip of  absolute panic, owing to frequent  bear attacks in the region. Four taluk that fall under Madhugiri have been facing a sustained attack by   these wild animals which at times have also turned fatal. it comes as no surprise that these people fear for their lives every time they step out the house.
In the  last four months there have  been nearly six attacks in the  region.

It has now become a serious issue that need immediate attention. The question on everybody’s mind is who can control these wild things.

The forest department so far has done nothing about the problem and is still dilly dallying on the course of action to be  taken according to the people here.

The  main worry that niggles the  people is how would they make it to fields given that the  roads are unsafe with the omni present danger of these clawed attacks.

Dept mum

The  tragedy of the  matter is that the forest department that should be  taking a more active role in solving this problem is  instead maintaining absolute silence on the  matter according to the farmer of the region. 

Ideal home

The  Madhugiri landscape is dotted with mountains which provides an ideal cover for the  bears. there are enough number of  caves and crevices for these animals  to call their  home and it also makes it  very  difficult  for local people to find them in such terrains. The four  taluks that  fall under the Madhugiri sub-division are Madhigiri, Kortagere, Pavagada, and Sira.

It is in these four taluks that the attacks have concentrated themselves and the victims are still reeling under the savagery  inflicted upon them. 

The most recent attack happen in Tovinkere. The young man  who was injured in the  attack is  still under treatment at the  hospital. He was working in  his fields when the attack happen.

It is no wonder that the people in the area are furious with the  forest department’s absolute inactivity in the matter.  They cannot even correctly estimate the  number of bears in the  region.

Law deterrent

“If we try to save  ourselves and kill the  bear during these attacks the Wildlife act  acts  as deterrent.  We also will face repercussions from the environmental activists. We are helpless but why is the forest department not doing anything about it?” is their question.

According to the Wild life act, one cannot harm or kill an animal that is categorised as a wild animal. But  it seems a question of survival for both races and it is a toss up about  who  should be chosen to live. What seems essential is that the an awareness programme be  conducted in the region to let the villagers know how they can  defend themselves.

This solution does not seem to be on the  department’s priority list right now.

Remedies

What one  can  suggest for farmers who work in their fields in use fire to keep the bears away This may just work as the animals are always afraid of fire and keep away from it.

But the  panic has also been created by false cries and mistaken  identities. There have been incidents when  people wrapped in blankets have been  mistaken for bears and  people have  run the other direction.  Luckily the incident has turned dangerous for the  people who  have been  mistaken as bears.

These people who have  tolerated the severe will of God somehow are terrified of this problem. It seems high time that the  forest officials woke up to the  problem and  did something about it before more people are hurt in this tussle for survival.