In an unprecedented operation, the Karnataka Forest Department has achieved a historic milestone by rescuing a total of 22 tigers, including cubs, within a single month. This marks the first such large-scale rescue in the state's history.
Minister Announces Record Rescue Operation
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre revealed this significant achievement while speaking to reporters in Kollegala. The minister had inaugurated a new command centre specifically designed to control wildlife-human conflicts in the region.
The decision to launch this massive rescue mission came directly after a tragic period in late October and early November, when three people lost their lives due to tiger attacks. In response, Minister Khandre issued immediate orders to forest officials to rescue all tigers that were found roaming outside protected forest areas.
Memorial for Dasara Elephant Arjuna Progresses
During the same briefing, Minister Eshwar Khandre provided an update on the memorial for the beloved Dasara elephant, Arjuna. The elephant, described as a martyr, died during an elephant capture operation in Yeslur, Sakleshpura, located in Hassan district.
The state government had previously announced plans to construct two memorials in Arjuna's honour. One memorial was to be built at the site of his death in Yeslur, and a second at his home camp, Balle, in Kodagu district.
Minister Khandre confirmed that the memorial at the Balle camp has already been constructed and inaugurated. Work on the Yeslur site is ongoing, with basic facilities being added based on advice from local legislators. The formal inauguration of the Yeslur memorial is scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the upcoming winter session of the legislature.
A Landmark in Wildlife Management
The rescue of 22 tigers in such a short timeframe underscores the intense pressure on wildlife habitats and the increasing frequency of human-animal conflicts. The establishment of the dedicated command centre in Kollegala is a strategic move by the Karnataka government to institutionalize a rapid response system.
This dual focus—on proactive rescue operations for tigers and commemorating a cultural icon like Arjuna—highlights the complex challenges faced by forest authorities. They must balance urgent conservation actions, public safety concerns, and the deep cultural connections communities have with individual animals.
