<p>The rise in man-animal conflict has created panic among the people in the villages of T Narsipur and H D Kote taluks of Mysuru district.</p>.<p>Five deaths have been reported due to leopard and tiger attacks in T Narsipur and H D Kote taluks since October 2022.</p>.<p>Fear gripped the people of T Narsipur taluk, after Jayanth, a 11-year-old boy, was mauled to death by a leopard at Horalahalli on Saturday night.</p>.<p>This was the fourth death due to leopard attack in T Narsipur taluk over the last three months.</p>.<p>On Sunday, 18-year-old Manju was mauled to death by a tiger at Balle tribal hamlet in H D Kote taluk under Nagarahole tiger reserve.</p>.<p>A 50-year-old farmer was attacked by a leopard in Nanjangud taluk on Sunday. He has been admitted to a hospital for treatment. </p>.<p>While the people of Horalahalli and other villages staged a protest near the T Narsipur bridge on Sunday morning, residents of Balle hamlet staged a protest, blocking the Mysuru-Manandawadi road on Sunday night, accusing the forest department of negligence.</p>.<p>Deputy commissioner K V Rajendra and the forest department personnel rushed to the spot and assured the villagers that all measures would be taken to protect the people from leopard attacks.</p>.<p>The department has relaunched the combing operation to trap leopards in the region. A huge cage was placed near Horalahalli on Monday.</p>.<p>The cage has been placed at the spot where the leopard claimed the life of the 11-year-old boy.</p>.<p>Around 120 employees from Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves have been deputed for the operation. </p>.<p>Chief conservator of forests Malathi Priya said 10 teams have been formed and cages have been placed at several places.</p>.<p>“Sixteen camera traps have been installed. Thermal drones will be used during the night operation,” she said.</p>.<p>The elephant task force personnel too are participating in the operation for the last two days.</p>.<p>The DC has given a 15-day deadline. The place where the leopard attacked the boy is a mini forest. The leopard was hiding there among the bushes. The bushes are now being cleared, Priya said.</p>.<p>“Rumours are being spread that the DC has issued shoot-at-sight orders. Only the principal chief conservator of forests has the power to issue such orders,” Priya said.</p>.<p>Additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Kumar Pushkar visited the spot. </p>
<p>The rise in man-animal conflict has created panic among the people in the villages of T Narsipur and H D Kote taluks of Mysuru district.</p>.<p>Five deaths have been reported due to leopard and tiger attacks in T Narsipur and H D Kote taluks since October 2022.</p>.<p>Fear gripped the people of T Narsipur taluk, after Jayanth, a 11-year-old boy, was mauled to death by a leopard at Horalahalli on Saturday night.</p>.<p>This was the fourth death due to leopard attack in T Narsipur taluk over the last three months.</p>.<p>On Sunday, 18-year-old Manju was mauled to death by a tiger at Balle tribal hamlet in H D Kote taluk under Nagarahole tiger reserve.</p>.<p>A 50-year-old farmer was attacked by a leopard in Nanjangud taluk on Sunday. He has been admitted to a hospital for treatment. </p>.<p>While the people of Horalahalli and other villages staged a protest near the T Narsipur bridge on Sunday morning, residents of Balle hamlet staged a protest, blocking the Mysuru-Manandawadi road on Sunday night, accusing the forest department of negligence.</p>.<p>Deputy commissioner K V Rajendra and the forest department personnel rushed to the spot and assured the villagers that all measures would be taken to protect the people from leopard attacks.</p>.<p>The department has relaunched the combing operation to trap leopards in the region. A huge cage was placed near Horalahalli on Monday.</p>.<p>The cage has been placed at the spot where the leopard claimed the life of the 11-year-old boy.</p>.<p>Around 120 employees from Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves have been deputed for the operation. </p>.<p>Chief conservator of forests Malathi Priya said 10 teams have been formed and cages have been placed at several places.</p>.<p>“Sixteen camera traps have been installed. Thermal drones will be used during the night operation,” she said.</p>.<p>The elephant task force personnel too are participating in the operation for the last two days.</p>.<p>The DC has given a 15-day deadline. The place where the leopard attacked the boy is a mini forest. The leopard was hiding there among the bushes. The bushes are now being cleared, Priya said.</p>.<p>“Rumours are being spread that the DC has issued shoot-at-sight orders. Only the principal chief conservator of forests has the power to issue such orders,” Priya said.</p>.<p>Additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Kumar Pushkar visited the spot. </p>
