Experts slam forest officials for tiger deaths in MM Hills

Bhavana M | NT
Bengaluru

The recent deaths of five tigers, a mother and her cubs, in Karnataka’s MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has triggered widespread outrage among conservationists and wildlife activists.
Calling it a “national shame,” experts have sharply criticised the Forest Department for what they describe as a complete failure in fulfilling its fundamental duty of wildlife protection.
According to the Karnataka Forest Department’s Phase IV monitoring report from 2024, the state is home to 393 tigers across five major reserves: Bandipur, Nagarhole, Bhadra, BRT and Kali. With the second highest tiger population in India, Karnataka plays a pivotal role in the success of Project Tiger.
Wildlife activist Joseph Hoover called the incident an “administrative failure,” holding the Forest Department directly responsible. “I have never come across a case where five tigers were poisoned in one location. It is truly heart-breaking,” he said.
Sources reveal that frontline forest watchers, who conduct crucial foot patrols, had not been paid for over three months. As a result, no regular monitoring was in place at the time of the incident.
“These watchers are the forest’s eyes, ears and nose. They are the foot soldiers. They were abandoned, and this tragedy is the consequence,” an expert stated emotionally.
What is more alarming, according to activists, is the lack of accountability. “Not a single official has been suspended despite the scale of this loss. The Range Forest Officer (RFO) and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) must be held accountable and suspended immediately,” they demanded.
Hoover stressed that the Forest department must take full responsibility and ensure that urgent corrective measures are implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.