The Bandipur forests are part of the larger landscape encapsulating the Nagarahole–Mudumalai–Wayanad sanctuary and the entire landscape is home to the largest number of wild tigers in India. | Photo credit: File Photo
The death of farmer Rajashekar in a tiger attack in Sargur taluk of Mysuru district on Sunday (October 26, 2025) is an indication of the increase in anthropogenic pressure on forests leading to habitat degradation that has escalated the conflict situation.
Sunday’s tiger attack is the second in recent days and it was less than two weeks ago that another farmer, Mahadev Gowda, lost his sight when another tiger attack, also in Sargur area, damaged his face.
Meanwhile, Forest Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre will visit Bandipur on Monday and hold a review meeting with senior officials on the escalation of man-animal conflict in the region and steps to be taken to curb it.
Activists say the latest tiger attack is not only tragic as it has led to the killing of people, but is also an indication that the dwindling natural environment is coming under increasing pressure due to development projects or illegal resorts springing up around Bandipur, which is a major source of income from tourism activities.
The Bandipur forests are part of the larger landscape encapsulating the Nagarahole–Mudumalai–Wayanad sanctuary and the entire landscape is home to the largest number of wild tigers in India. According to 2022 NTCA estimates, there were 563 tigers in Karnataka, a significant number of them in the Bandipur (150) – Nagarahole (140) belt, and the population in this area is estimated to be reaching saturation point.
Activists have therefore called for strengthening the buffer zone and EEZ around these tiger reserves so that these forests can absorb the excess population. Forest degradation is also caused by overgrowth of weeds such as lantana, as a result of which predators tend to prey on domestic livestock and villagers become victims in many such cases.
Various reports, including the NTCA’s Status of Tigers and Co-Predators 2022 report, point out that tigers compete for prey with other predators such as leopards and wild dogs. The report states that the spread of several invasive species is degrading tiger habitats, compounded by frequent forest fires in the summer that devastate large areas of forest land.
Incidentally, NTCA has also recommended shifting the entire Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary under the core and critical area of Bandipur, but this is yet to be announced. Conservationists brought the issue to the notice of the forest department, pointing out that Nugu forms a buffer to Bandipur and is part of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). It was argued that Nugu already supports a high density of elephants and tigers besides other carnivorous and prey species and therefore it was imperative to bring it under the Bandipur core area and provide inviolaet space for wildlife. But it is yet to be announced.
The decision of the district administration to support religious activities in the core tiger area of Hediyala, which is part of Bandipur, is also contributing to habitat disturbance. The Beladakuppe Mahadevaswamy temple is included in the tourism promotion scheme ignoring the fact that such activities violate the Nature Conservation Act and Supreme Court orders.
Published – 26 Oct 2025 20:41 IST
