Bengaluru
In response to the increasing incidents of tiger attacks in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts, Karnataka Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has directed officials to install cameras along forest borders and alert local residents promptly about tiger movements. Chairing a meeting on human-wildlife conflict at Aranya Bhavan, Khandre emphasized round-the-clock surveillance using thermal cameras and timely warnings to prevent loss of life and crop damage.
He instructed forest officials to implement both short-term and long-term solutions, enhance patrolling, and identify high-conflict villages near Bandipur and Nagarahole forests. New forest outposts should be set up every 5–6 kilometers, employing local youth to strengthen vigilance. In the event of a tiger attacking livestock, teams equipped with elephants must be dispatched immediately, and any injured or aged tigers should be captured for treatment or relocation.
To improve on-ground response, senior officers will be appointed as nodal officers in affected forest zones to stay on-site and coordinate operations. Khandre also announced the formation of an expert committee to study the carrying capacity of forest ecosystems and analyze why wild animals are increasingly moving into human settlements.
He further ordered the scientific removal of invasive weeds like Senna and Lantana, which have spread widely, depriving herbivores of grass and forcing elephants to leave forests. Khandre urged officials to learn from other states’ best practices and adopt effective forest management models.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Meenakshi Negi, Chief Wildlife Warden P.C. Ray, and other senior officials attended the meeting.