Mysuru/Chamarajanagar: Human-animal conflict poses fresh challenges to policing in the border district of Chamarajanagar, with wild animals moving across forest fringes and into human habitations, raising recurring public safety concerns.With nearly 50% of the district under forest cover, and the presence of two tiger reserves (BRT and Bandipur) and two wildlife sanctuaries (MM Hills and Cauvery), the situation has taken a serious turn in recent months due to a series of fatal attacks on humans by elephants, leopards and tigers. Police forces are stretched to address these safety issues as these require patrolling and effective counter-measures beyond routine duties. Recently, a pilgrim was attacked and killed by a leopard at the Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills, a major hill shrine that attracts large number of devotees. While primary mandate for wildlife management rests with forest authorities, police are often the first responders when panic spreads or when crowds gather in the wake of a human-animal conflict. Moreover, additional security arrangements are required for the week-long festival at MM Hills on the occasion of Shivaratri. A police officer revealed that the killing and poisoning of five tigers, including a mother and four cubs last June; the killing of another tiger last Oct; and a pilgrim who was mauled by a leopard in Jan this year — all in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary area – have burdened policing. The deployment of police personnel along the trek route of nearly 15 km to the MM Hills shrine has become quite a challenge, with animal movements reported in surrounding areas. Chamarajanagar SP M Muthuraj told TOI human-animal conflicts were prevalent in the border district of Chamarajanagar, posing challenges for effective policing.
