Forest personnel combing after a spate of tiger attacks in the Sargur area of Mysuru district. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Forest authorities have stepped up combing operations in Mysuru district’s Sargur taluk following a spate of tiger attacks that triggered panic among villagers along the forest fringes. Three farmers have lost their lives in separate incidents over the past few weeks, while another victim who survived the attack has lost his sight and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mysuru.
The latest fatal incident occurred on Friday when a farmer from Hale Heggudil was mauled by a tiger while going to his field early in the morning.
As per instructions issued by Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, combing operations have been stepped up across agricultural areas and villages bordering forests in HD Kote and Sargur areas.
Additional precautions have been taken in villages where frequent tiger sightings have been reported. Search and rescue teams are on 24/7 alert.
A special night patrol team has been deployed for daily surveillance. The villages will be patrolled by a Deputy Conservator of Forests, a Forest Guard and two rangers who are equipped with a Rapid Response Team (RRT) vehicle. The unit has been tasked with patrolling vulnerable zones and issuing security alerts through public address systems whenever tiger movement is detected.
Meanwhile, public notices have been issued in villages, schools, bus stops and other public places advising villagers to stay alert and avoid being alone, especially in the early hours of the morning and at night. Leaflets explaining the dos and don’ts of avoiding encounters with tigers are also being distributed. Forest officials have appealed to villagers to report any sighting of the tiger immediately.
Amid increasing tiger attacks in the Mysuru region that have resulted in the deaths of farmers, the forest minister on Friday ordered the closure of Nagarahole and Bandipur safari operations along with the suspension of tourism activities in human-wildlife conflict areas. The minister also directed that all available forest personnel be deployed in the operation to capture the elusive tiger.
Mr. Khandre directed the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Project Tiger Directors to camp at the site and personally supervise efforts to nab the tiger responsible for the repeated attacks.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 20:42 IST
