Karnataka Shuts Down Safaris After Deadly Tiger Attacks

On November 7, 2025, Karnataka's Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre took swift action in response to a tragic tiger attack that claimed the life of a 35-year-old farmer, Chowdaiah Naika, near Hale Heggodilu village in Mysuru district.

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the Minister has ordered the immediate closure of safari operations in the Nagarahole and Bandipur national parks, as well as the suspension of trekking activities in human-wildlife conflict zones. The directive aims to divert all available forest personnel to the operation to capture the tiger responsible for the recent attacks.

The Minister noted that three lives have been lost in tiger attacks along the fringes of the Nagarahole-Bandipur forests in the last month, which he described as deeply distressing. He recalled previous meetings held in late October and early November, where clear instructions had been issued to intensify efforts to capture the tiger and prepare to close safari operations if necessary.

Despite these measures, the recurrence of such a tragic incident has shocked the Minister, who has now taken decisive action to prioritize the safety of local communities and focus the forest department's resources on the tiger capture operation.