Mon Oct 27 12:23:50 UTC 2025: Headline: Karnataka Minister Faces Farmer Fury After Fatal Tiger Attack
Mysuru, India – October 27, 2025 – Eshwar B. Khandre, Karnataka’s Minister for Forests, Ecology, and Environment, faced a wave of anger from farmers in Mysuru on Monday following the death of 53-year-old Rajashekar in a tiger attack near Saragur. This incident marks the latest in a string of escalating human-tiger conflicts in the region, highlighting the growing tension between rural communities and wildlife.
Rajashekar’s death, occurring close to Nugu wildlife sanctuary, follows a similar incident ten days prior where another farmer was severely injured by a tiger. Local residents are demanding immediate and permanent solutions to the recurring problem.
Farmers confronted Minister Khandre at K.R. Hospital, where he was paying his respects to the deceased. They accused forest department staff of negligence in failing to properly manage the tiger population and address reported sightings. The farmers demanded accountability and expressed their fear for their safety.
The minister promised action against any officials found to have neglected their duties. Questions were also raised about the decision to transport Rajashekar’s body to Mysuru for postmortem, fueling suspicions of an attempt to shield the minister from public backlash.
Adding fuel to the fire, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) president Badagalpura Nagendra is demanding ₹50 lakh (approximately $60,000 USD) in compensation for Rajashekar’s family and a waiver of any outstanding agricultural loans. The Karnataka State Sugarcane Farmers Association president H. Bhagyaraj attributed the rise in human-animal conflict to increased tourism in the region, urging the government to curb tourism activities in the forest region. He argues that prioritizing tourism revenue comes at the expense of the safety and livelihoods of local communities. “You are promoting tourism activity…and it is the local people…who are paying the price,” said Bhagyaraj. He also called for a crackdown on illegal mining in the area.
In a separate incident, H.D. Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu also faced the ire of villagers who expressed their fear and anger after visiting the attack site on Sunday.
This tragic event underscores the increasing strain on the relationship between humans and wildlife in South Karnataka, as highlighted in recent reports on poisoned tigers and electrocuted elephants. The government faces mounting pressure to find sustainable solutions that protect both its citizens and its natural heritage.
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