R S Tejus:
A man was killed in a tiger attack near Bennegere village, close to Mulluru in Saragur taluk of Mysuru district, Karnataka, India. The spot lies barely two kilometres from the forest edge of the Nugu range under Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The victim, Rajasekhar (54), was collecting firewood when the tiger suddenly attacked him.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre expressed deep sorrow over the death and offered condolences to the family. Calling it a painful incident, he said he has directed forest officials to take immediate steps to capture the tiger and ensure proper compensation for the victim’s family. The minister also appealed to residents of forest-fringe villages, cattle grazers and plantation workers to remain alert whenever there are signs of wild animal movement.
Senior Bandipur officials clarified that contrary to social media rumours, forest personnel promptly reached the spot. Both the Conservator of Forests (CF) and the Bandipur Director personally visited the site, and an investigation is underway.
This is the second tiger attack reported in the Nugu range within a span of two weeks. Wildlife experts have voiced concern over the repeated incidents and stressed the need to identify the root causes. “Understanding what is happening on the ground is extremely important. Such recurring cases point to deeper management issues and warrant an independent inquiry into the overall functioning of the tiger reserve,” said experts.
Officials have urged the public not to spread misinformation and to cooperate with forest staff working in the area.
Meanwhile on a visit to Mysuru on Sunday Eshwar Khandre visited the K.R. Hospital mortuary and paid his last respects to Rajasekhar, who died in the tiger attack.
Speaking to reporters, the forest minister said the incident was deeply painful and that strict action would be taken if any negligence by forest officials was found. “If the staff had already received a tiger-movement complaint and still delayed in placing cages, there will be an inquiry and disciplinary action,” he said.
He further stressed that human–wildlife conflict is not new and urged people living along forest fringes to learn to coexist with wild animals while the forest department works on preventive measures to avoid such incidents.