Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre Monday announced that the state government would compensate families if their cattle are killed by wild animals in hamlets located inside reserve forests. This announcement came in the wake of another tiger death due to poisoning at Male Mahadeshwara Hills Forest Sanctuary in the state. Speaking to reporters, the minister said that the compensation will be commensurate with the sum provided in case of cattle deaths due to floods. As per existing National Disaster Response Fund norms, Rs 30,000 is provided as compensation for milch animals such as cows and buffaloes that perish due to floods. Recently, a tiger was poisoned to death, and its carcass was buried inside the Hanur range of the Male Mahadeshwara sanctuary after being chopped into three pieces. Five people arrested in connection with the case are accused of poisoning the cattle mauled by the tiger, leading to its death. Khandre recalled that in June this year, five tigers died in the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary after consuming poison-laced cattle carcasses left as retaliation. “Earlier this month, another tiger died from poisoning. The new compensation measure is intended to prevent such retaliatory killings by distressed villagers,” he said. The official announcement regarding the compensation amount for cattle deaths from attacks by wild animals will be made by the chief minister during the closing ceremony of Wildlife Week, the minister said. Villagers naturally feel anger when their livestock is killed by wild animals, Khandre said, noting that killing wildlife is a criminal offence and will invite strict action. “Whoever is guilty will face punishment under the law. Swift punishment will send a strong message,” he added, directing officials to file the charge sheet related to the latest poisoning case soon. A probe led by the principal chief conservator of forests has already been ordered, and action will follow once the report is submitted, he said. If forest department staff are found negligent in preventing tiger deaths, disciplinary action will be taken against them, the minister said, adding that officials are asked to hold public outreach meetings at hamlets inside and at the fringes of the reserves to prevent the killing of wild animals.
