Minister Seeks Feedback on M.M. Hills Tiger Reserve Proposal

Quick Summary

• Rising Tiger Numbers in M.M. Hills Sanctuary: karnataka’s Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre directed forest officials to collect local feedback for declaring Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary a tiger reserve.
• Recent Incident: An adult tigress and four cubs recently died from poisoning in the sanctuary, highlighting concerns over wildlife safety.
• Current Reserves: Karnataka presently has five tiger reserves: Bandipur,Nagarahole,BRT (Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple),Bhadra,and Kali.
• Monitoring Measures Proposed: the Minister recommended creating a centralized command center to monitor wildlife movements and poaching activities using CCTV footage across Karnataka’s 40,000 square kilometers of forest area.
• Staff Recruitment & Equipment Needs: Initiatives to recruit staff for vacant positions and procure necessary vehicles and equipment where suggested.
• Community Relations: The need for fostering amiable relations between forest officers and local populations was emphasized.

Published – July 08, 2025
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Indian Opinion analysis

The move to designate M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve reflects Karnataka’s continuing focus on biodiversity conservation amid increasing human-wildlife interactions. While expanding protection for tigers is commendable given their ecological importance, ensuring community support will be critical. Such reserves can impact local livelihoods; thus gathering stakeholder feedback helps balance conservation efforts with socio-economic realities.

Recent incidents of poisoning underscore the urgent necessity for improved monitoring systems like centralized command centers proposed by the Minister. These measures aim not only to prevent unnatural animal deaths but also enhance surveillance against poaching-which remains a persistent challenge across India’s forests.

Moreover, addressing staffing shortages within the forestry department could bolster enforcement capacities while better equipping officers signals proactive resource management. Ultimately, these efforts align with India’s commitment toward protecting wildlife habitats but will require consistent implementation alongside collaboration with affected communities.