Safari, trekking in Karnataka's Nagarahole, Bandipur closed after third person killed in tiger attack

Bengaluru: Wildlife safari in Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves as well as trekking activities in the conflict areas nearby were shut down on Friday, with Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre directing the department to divert the services of officials and staffers engaged in such activities to rescue a conflict tiger.

The direction for closure "until further orders" was issued to the state chief wildlife warden after the news of a third person mauled to death by a tiger in Hale Heggodilu village of Saragur taluk, Moleyur range.

Chowdiah Naik is the third person who has died due to tiger attacks within the last one month in the region.

"It's shocking to see yet another death.. Farmers in Chamarajanagar had opined that safari activities had disturbed the wildlife while officials have communicated a shortage of staff (to handle conflicts)," he said, announcing the closure of the safari and trekking activities.

As per the directions, the officers and staffers, including drivers, engaged in safari and trekking in the region activities will be diverted to the combing and surveillance operations. The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Project Tiger) has been directed to stay put in the region until the conflict tiger is rescued, the statement said.

The forest department has received criticism in the wake of the growing number of conflict incidents in the region. It started with the poisoning of five tigers in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in June. The forests in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts have seen a spate of incidents where humans and wildlife have both suffered death and injury.

Khandre said he had held a meeting in Bandipur on October 27 and more recently in Chamarajanagar with the district in charge minister, MLAs and other leaders to discuss the conflicts and explore solutions.