R S TEJUS:
The tragic, inhuman tiger killings at MM Hills points to the likely conflict between local residents and forest officials. The grim discovery of carcasses of five tigers – one mother tigress and four tiger cubs in the Gajnur beat, Meenyam section of Hoogyam range in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Sanctuary has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
Five tigers were found dead on June 26 (the highest ever tiger mortality on a single day in the country) and they were most likely victims of suspected poisoning by a local community residing on the fringes of MM Hills Sanctuary.
This tragedy has brought to the forefront – a long simmering conflict between a local community, their traditional livelihood, and their desperate need to eke out earnings through hook or crook. Further, these shocking killings of fiver tigers points out the urgent need to strengthen the loopholes and drawbacks in MM Hills that was deprived of the status of being a tiger reserve long back.
Sources from MM Hills indicate that the likely cause of death was “retaliatory poisoning” after the mother tigress was found preying on the cattle grazing inside the MM Hills Forest area.
Further, this incident brings to light the complex challenges faced by the MM Hills Sanctuary, particularly the unchecked grazing of thousands of cattle from a village in neighboring Tamil Nadu.
ILLEGAL CROSS-BORDER GRAZING IN MM HILLS
The illegal grazing activity starts from Bargur village in Tamil Nadu wherein, a Kannada-speaking community (whose primary income is dependent on their cattle and agriculture) invade MM Hills for grazing their cattle illegally. Facing stringent regulations from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department that restrict grazing within their state’s forests, this community regularly sends estimated 12,000-plus cattle across the border into Karnataka.
These massive herds converge on the Gopinatham, Palar, PG Palya, and Hoogyam ranges of the MM Hills Sanctuary, especially after the first rains. Overgrazing has led to significant biodiversity loss in MM Hills and severe forest degradation in these pristine areas.
A VICIOUS CYCLE OF FIRE, GRAZING & WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Such a large number of cattle in the tiger habitat of MM Hills creates a complex ecological imbalance. While the local community claim that tall grass, if left not grazed, becomes unsuitable for their cattle, requiring “sprout grasses,” their methods of achieving this has a dire consequence on the habitat.
This summer, the local community living on the fringes of MM Hills reportedly set fire to vast stretches of the Hoogyam range, intentionally burning a huge area to promote the growth of fresh, palatable grasses for their livestock. Such destructive practices further decimate the forest ecosystem and contribute to human-wildlife conflict.
UNHEEDED WARNINGS & IGNORED CRIMES
Adding to this complexity is a long-standing friction between the Karnataka Forest Department and the local community living on the edge of the Hoogyam range. This community reportedly provides shelter to Tamil Nadu cattle and grazers for a small fee, further entrenching the unauthorised grazing. This community is so desperate that they levy a charge of just Rs 50 to allow the illegal grazing activity at MM Hills.
Beyond the immediate tragedy of the tigers, unmanaged cattle grazing poses other significant threats, including the transmission of diseases like foot-and-mouth disease to wild animals. Despite the evident damage and the recent shocking deaths of five tigers, sources suggest that no substantial action has been taken against the community engaged in these destructive grazing practices.
NEED FOR DIALOGUE & JUSTICE
The death of the tigress and her four cubs is a stark reminder of the urgent need for intervention. A multi-faceted approach is critical to safeguard the future of the MM Hills Sanctuary and its precious wildlife.
This must include:
- Initiating a constructive dialogue between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu forest departments, local communities, and conservation organizations to establish long-term sustainable grazing solutions, & potentially utilizing designated gomala (grasslands) lands outside the sanctuary boundary.
- Ensuring justice for the unspeakable crime that has occurred, and holding those responsible for the poisoning accountable.
- Implementing stricter enforcement against illegal grazing and forest burning.
- Exploring alternative livelihood options for the community living on the edge of Hoogyam Range that reduces their reliance on forest-dependent grazing.
Apart from this, the time has come now for MM Hills Sanctuary to be declared as a Tiger Reserve to protect tigers in this unique habitat. According to activists, During the BJP reign in Karnataka, this issue of declaration as a tiger reserve was almost through but a district in charge minister and BJP legislator saw to it the declaration as a tiger reserve was cancelled.
Without immediate and decisive action, the rich biodiversity of the MM Hills Sanctuary remains under severe threat, and further tragedies are inevitable if this situation continues.
ESHWAR KHANDRE VISITS MM HILLS
Meanwhile, the Forest, Ecology & Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said in Kollegal today all issues will be investigated and probed into by the team of experts and inquiry team. The issue of conflict between a local community on the fringes of Hoogyam Range and tigers has come to my notice and this issue of alleged poisoning of tigers will be looked into thoroughly.
Speaking to Green Minister Eshwar Khandre added, “We will look into the conflict issue between the local community who are involved in grazing here and the resulting conflict with wildlife. Further, we have taken many measures to strengthen the protection of wildlife in Karnataka. The death of five tigers is a very serious issue, so I am visiting the spot and having discussions with the forest officials on this matter. Legal action will be taken once the investigations are over and the inquiry report is tabled.”