Bengaluru, Nov 10 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday held a detailed review meeting over the rising incidents of human-tiger and human-elephant conflicts in the state, stressing the need for immediate, science-based and compassionate measures to address the crisis.
The Chief Minister sought a scientific explanation on why tigers and elephants are straying out of forests and instructed officials to adopt evidence-based and preventive solutions.
He directed that all forest waterholes be filled, lantana weed be removed, and adequate fodder be cultivated within forest areas to minimise wildlife movement toward human settlements.
He also emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of elephant and tiger movement and announced that a separate meeting would soon be convened exclusively to discuss long-term strategies to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.
Officials were instructed to come prepared with comprehensive data and practical solutions.
Officials informed the meeting that a helpline had already been launched and that work to establish a command center was underway.
In the last five and a half years, Karnataka has lost 82 tigers, of which 14 died in 2024, and nine have already been reported in 2025.
Among these deaths, at least one incident in June in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (MM Hills) drew particular attention - a tigress and her four cubs were found dead, with poisoning suspected. Three persons have been arrested in connection with that case.
The Minister for Forests has ordered a comprehensive audit of all tiger deaths over the past five years, demanding details of whether death was natural or unnatural, whether investigations were conducted, and what action was taken.
Raising questions on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, the Chief Minister sought clarification on why 5,900 out of 7,000 applications had been rejected. District officials replied that the rejections, made between 2019 and 2020, lacked sufficient reasoning in several cases, and such applications were now being accepted for re-examination.
Emphasising sensitivity in governance, the Chief Minister directed that officials act with conscience and compassion in addressing the needs of tribal and forest-dwelling communities.
He enquired about the adequacy of drinking water and electricity in tribal hamlets and instructed that such issues be resolved on priority.
Meanwhile, MLA Anil Chikkamadu raised concerns about a lack of coordination between Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs) and Range Forest Officers (RFOs) in H.D. Kote, which he said was worsening field-level problems.
The Chief Minister warned that any negligence or dereliction of duty leading to loss of human life would attract strict action.
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