Chikkamagaluru: A wildlife activist has demanded action against forest officials, accusing them of negligence in rescuing a tiger caught in an illegal snare trap in the Muthodi range of Bhadra Tiger Reserve, days after footage of the injured animal went viral.
Wildlife activist Dinesh Kallahalli, in his complaint addressed to the head of the forest force, stated that the tiger was found with a snare around its body in the Yelanurukhan estate area of the Muthodi range four days ago. Camera trap images showed the injured big cat struggling for several days. “Despite daily sightings, local forest officials failed to rescue it immediately,” he said.
He cited provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, noting that Section 9 prohibits hunting or injuring tigers and Section 51 treats it as a serious offence. The complaint also flags violations of Project Tiger guidelines, which mandate urgent medical care for injured tigers. Citing Supreme Court judgments in WWF-India vs Union of India (2013) and the TN Godavarman case, he said the state and forest department are legally bound to protect wildlife.
The letter further alleges illegal resorts, estates, road widening, and organized poaching in the Yelanurukhan, Pandaravalli, and Kolagave areas, in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Kallahalli has urged the registration of a forest offence case and an investigation into the matter. He also called for action against the poachers who laid the traps and against local forest officials for their alleged negligence. He further sought a special investigation into illegal activities around the Bhadra reserve. Bhadra Tiger Reserve officials were not available for comment.
