MYSURU: Yet another farmer fell victim to a tiger attack in Saragur taluk of Mysuru district on Friday, taking the number of people killed by tigers in the region since October 26 to three. The incident again raised questions over whether forest officials, who have already captured four tigers in the region, caught the right tiger responsible for the series of human deaths.
The deceased, 35-year-old Chowdaiah Nayaka, was ploughing his field in Hale Heggudilu village near Nugu dam when the tiger pounced on him from behind and
dragged him into the forest. The oxen pulling the plough panicked and ran back to the farmer’s house, alarming the family. Suspecting danger, the family and villagers rushed to the spot. When Chowdaiah was not found in the field, they searched the area and found his partially devoured body in a ditch inside the forest.
It was only last year that Chowdaiah had suffered a broken hip in an elephant attack while working in the field. After months of recovery, he had resumed farming just three months ago, only to lose his life to the tiger attack. He is survived by his wife Rukmini and three daughters.
Hediyala ACF Paramesh, RFO Amrutha and other forest staff visited the spot and initiated an investigation.
Angry villagers try to attack RFO
As news of the tiger attack spread, hundreds of farmers from neighbouring villages rushed to the spot. Villagers vented their anger at officials for failing to capture the tiger.
When RFO Amrutha and her team arrived at the spot, some enraged farmers allegedly tried to attack her. Forest staff intervened and escorted her.
ACF Paramesh, accompanied by police personnel and other forest officers, reached the site and assured villagers that efforts are under way to capture the tiger. Farmers demanding the immediate capture of the tiger and aid to the kin’s family.
Safari, trekking banned in Nagarahole, Bandipur: Forest Minister Khandre
Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre ordered the suspension of safaris in Nagarhole and Bandipur tiger reserves and trekking activities in all areas experiencing human-wildlife conflicts. He directed all the staff and officers, including vehicle drivers from safari, to be deployed for tiger capture.
He directed the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and chief wildlife warden on Friday to close the safaris at both reserves till further orders. He said the loss of lives to tiger attacks in the past month in the Bandipur and Nagarhole forest ranges has caused deep anguish. Review meetings were held on October 27 in Bandipur and November 2 in Chamarajanagar. “All possible steps were taken to capture the tiger, and a warning to suspend safaris had also been issued. It is distressing that yet another tragic incident has occurred,” he said.
He instructed the additional principal chief conservator of forests and Project Tiger directors to camp at the site and take action to capture the tiger responsible for repeated attacks.
Wildlife activist Joseph Hoover criticised the forest department for what he called a “frenzied” capturing of tigers. “There have been multiple human deaths in the past fortnight, and one farmer even lost both his eyes. Four tigers have been captured, and the process to catch more is under way. We urge the state government to ensure that officials follow the National Tiger Conservation Authority protocols,” he said.
He said, foresters must first identify the specific tiger responsible for human deaths, conduct DNA analysis, observe the animal’s movements and only then capture it. “Instead, tigers are being caught at random. So far, four tigers have been captured, including two 18-month-old cubs. Another tigress that had abandoned her two tiny cubs, just two months old, has also been sent to a rehabilitation centre,” he said.
“Officers with social forestry backgrounds are being posted to wildlife divisions where tiger predation is rising. In HD Kote and Saragur, tigers are being sighted everywhere. The government must appoint the right officers,” he stressed.