Tiger attack triggers shutdown of Karnataka’s Bandipur, Nagarahole safari operations

Mysuru: A farmer was killed in a tiger attack in Mysuru district on Friday, prompting Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to suspend safari operations at Nagarahole and Bandipur Tiger Reserves and ban trekking in areas vulnerable to human-wildlife conflict with immediate effect.

The minister also directed that forest personnel currently engaged in safari duties be reassigned to the ongoing operation to capture the tiger.

Officials identified the victim as Chowdayya Nayak (35) of Hale Heggudilu village in Saragur taluk. This marks the third fatal tiger attack in the region within a month, according to forest officials.

In a written directive to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Khandre expressed grief over the deaths and ordered the immediate suspension of safari services in both tiger reserves until further notice.

Describing the series of incidents as “deeply distressing,” Khandre noted that three lives have been lost to tiger attacks along the Bandipur–Nagarahole forest belt across Mysuru and Chamarajanagara districts in the past month.

A statement from the minister’s office said review meetings had been held earlier, on October 27 in Bandipur and November 2 in Chamarajanagara, in the presence of district ministers and local MLAs to discuss the rising threat.

“Discussions were held with farmers and local residents, and warnings were issued that safaris may be suspended if necessary. However, another tragic incident has occurred, causing shock,” Khandre said.

He has now ordered a complete halt to safaris in Nagarahole and Bandipur and suspension of trekking in vulnerable zones. All staff, including vehicle drivers and forest guards, will join efforts to locate and capture the tiger.

The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Director of Project Tiger have also been instructed to camp in the area and oversee the capture operation.

Meanwhile, BJP State President BY Vijayendra criticised the state government, alleging that it was preoccupied with internal disputes and neglecting farmers’ safety.

“The invaluable lives of farmers on the forest fringes of the state are being sacrificed one after another to wild animal attacks - this news is an utterly terrifying development. The government's conduct, treating the lives of our food providers as worthless, represents the extreme height of callousness,” he said.

Calling the incident a result of “divine negligence” by the government and forest department, Vijayendra claimed that the failure to implement preventive measures had led to recurring attacks.

“The forest department's irresponsible failure to implement measures that must be followed to prevent human-wildlife conflict is precisely what has caused the recurrence of tiger attacks. If it fails to create a safe environment for the forest-fringe farmers who live with death in their hands, the government should prepare to face the people's outrage,” he warned in a post on X.

PTI inputs