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Chamarajanagar: Human-Animal Conflict Challenges Police
15 Feb
Summary
- Wild animals entering human habitations create safety concerns.
- Police face challenges due to increased animal-related incidents.
- Recent fatal attacks strain resources and require extra patrols.
Human-animal conflict is presenting new difficulties for the police in Chamarajanagar, a district bordering forest areas. Wild animals are frequently entering human settlements, raising significant public safety concerns. The district, with nearly half its area covered by forests and housing multiple tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, has seen a recent surge in dangerous encounters.
These incidents, including fatal attacks by elephants, leopards, and tigers, are stretching police resources thin. Officers are now tasked with patrolling and implementing counter-measures beyond their regular duties. The situation was highlighted by a recent leopard attack on a pilgrim at the prominent Male Mahadeshwara Hills shrine.
While forest authorities manage wildlife, police often become the first responders during panic or crowd situations arising from such conflicts. The area near the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has been particularly affected, with reports of five tigers being killed last June and another tiger and a leopard causing fatalities in recent months. The 15-km trek route to the shrine now requires additional police presence due to reported animal movements.
