Leopard attack: Pilgrims allege apathy of authorities

Male Mahadeshwara Hills (Chamarajanagar dist): The safety of pilgrims on the trekking route to the ancient Nagamale shrine near Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills in Hanur taluk is at risk, as a leopard mauled a young boy to death in the early hours of Sunday.

Ten-year-old Harshit, a resident of Kamakshipalya in Bengaluru, died in the leopard attack near Nagamale in Cauvery Wildlife Division, on Sunday. The leopard dragged the child 50 metres and caught his neck, killing him on the spot.

Harshit was walking towards the Nagamale shrine with his family when the leopard pounced on him and dragged him into the forest.

Despite frequent reports of leopard sightings and attacks on this route, the Forest department and the Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Kshetra Development Authority have drawn flak for failing to deploy adequate security personnel.

This tragedy follows a string of similar incidents. On January 21, Praveen from Mandya district’s Cheeranahalli died in a leopard attack while trekking to the hills. On February 10, Shreyas (8) from Channapatna was injured in another
attack.

Despite the recurring incidents, pilgrims allege that the departments concerned have shown absolute apathy toward public safety.

Negligence

Nagamale is a significant pilgrimage site, and most devotees visiting MM Hills trek the three-km stretch from Indiganatta village to reach it. The route is inaccessible to vehicles.

The Forest department charges devotees and trekkers Rs 200 per head, while private vehicle drivers charge an additional Rs 100 to transport them from MM Hills to Indiganatta village.

“Even after collecting these fees, there are no security guards on the route, no information centres, and not even basic drinking water facilities,” pilgrims allege.

The victim’s mother Pavithra, who was in shock, blamed the authorities for her son’s death.

“Neither the drivers nor the forest staff warned us about the movement of wild animals there. There are no warning boards on the route. If there were guards on the walking path, my son’s life could have been saved,” she said, demanding punishment for the negligent officials.

No basic amenities

Pilgrims noted that collection of money has become rampant at places like the Palar checkpost in the guise of entry fees, but the revenue is not being utilised for devotee safety.

The lack of warning signs and the absence of a dedicated surveillance team on the route have turned a journey of faith into a death trap for many, they said.

Ban on climbing

Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar circle, Malathi Priya has ordered a temporary ban on pilgrims climbing MM Hills via the stepped path.

Pilgrims now have to take a KSRTC bus from Taalu Betta to MM Hills. Trekking to Nagamale is also temporarily banned.

Forest department officials, along with personnel of the Leopard Task Force, have launched a combing operation and are using three drones to trace the leopard, so that no such tragedy is repeated, Malathi Priya said.