Madikeri: State Wildlife Board member Meriyanda Sanketh Poovaiah criticised forest department officials for their negligence, which led to the recent deaths of a tiger and four cubs at Meenyam in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district.Speaking to reporters, Poovaiah noted that despite a dedicated National Tiger Conservation Authority, such deaths occurred in a protected forest. He highlighted Karnataka‘s position as the second-ranked state with 563 tigers among 17 states showing increased tiger populations.While tourists appreciate tiger sightings, villagers near forest boundaries live in constant fear of wildlife encounters. Despite substantial Union and state govt funding, forest officials failed to implement effective scientific measures, according to Poovaiah.He pointed out that despite receiving grants for forest protection and wildlife conservation, the department’s resource utilisation remains inadequate. Entry-level staff, recruited through outsourcing as a rapid task force, elephant task force, and daily wage workers, lack proper training to work round-the-clock and often perform household duties for senior officials.Karnataka houses 32 wildlife ranges and 5 tiger reserves, with rising elephant populations in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru, and Kodagu districts. Poovaiah emphasised the govt’s responsibility to address wildlife attacks, noting that 56,000 people across 17 states are hospitalised due to such incidents.
