Tigers Claim Six Cattle in Nilgiris

Quick Summary

• Incident Details: Two tigers killed six cattle in the gudalur forest division, Nilgiris, over 12 days.

– Five incidents occurred in Padanthurai area tea gardens; one happened at Needle Rock foothills (3 km away from Padanthurai).

• Inquiry Findings:

– Camera traps captured tiger movement; pugmarks of a sub-adult tiger were noted near Needle Rock.
– the affected areas are close to reserve forests with frequent tiger activity.

• Forest Officials’ Response:

– locations mapped and monitoring initiated with camera traps.- Officials requested permission to form a technical committee for further action and day-to-day monitoring.

• Committee Composition:

– Nominee from NTCA, nominee from chief wildlife warden, an NGO representative, chaired by the district forest officer.

!Representative image

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The multiple tiger attacks on cattle in Nilgiris highlight critical wildlife management challenges due to increasing human-wildlife interaction near reserve forest areas. The decision by authorities to establish a technical guidance committee demonstrates proactive governance aimed at addressing such incidents comprehensively. monitoring through camera traps reflects the importance of integrating technology into conservation efforts.

These events could carry broader implications for ecological balance and community relations within sensitive zones like Nilgiris. Enhanced collaboration between state officials,national organizations like NTCA,and local NGOs may help mitigate future conflicts while ensuring tiger conservation goals remain intact. However, balancing biodiversity protection with the livelihood concerns of affected communities will require careful deliberation based on scientific recommendations.