Deer Scavenging Plastic at Kabini Sparks Alarm Over Bhadra Tiger Reserve Waste Crisis
Viral visuals of deer scavenging plastic waste at Kabini have ignited fresh environmental concerns in the buffer zone of Bhadra Tiger Reserve. A recent video from Kuvempu University's Jnana Sahyadri campus, located within the Singhanamane State Forest, shows deer and stray dogs feeding on discarded refuse, directly contradicting the university's assertions of a fully functional waste management system.
Campus Waste Management Claims Under Scrutiny
The troubling footage has placed the university campus under intense scrutiny. Environmental activist Chirag has raised serious allegations, stating that food waste from hostels is attracting wildlife into human-occupied areas. This dangerous interaction creates significant health risks for animals and fosters unhealthy dependencies on human-generated waste.
University Public Relations Officer Dr. MR Sathyaprakash responded to these claims by telling TOI that a comprehensive waste management system is operational on campus. He insisted that hostels do not discharge refuse improperly and attributed the visible litter, primarily snack wrappers, to irresponsible wayfarers passing through the area.
Escalating Wildlife Encounters and Environmental Hazards
Despite official denials, waste accumulation continues to pose serious threats. In a recent incident highlighting the severity of the situation, a deer chased by stray dogs sought refuge inside a cooperative bank branch located directly in front of the university gate before being safely rescued. This event underscores the dangerous proximity between wildlife and human settlements caused by improper waste disposal.
The Bhadra Tiger Reserve encompasses approximately 500.1 square kilometers of core tiger habitat, with buffer and peripheral areas covering about 571.8 square kilometers. Large stretches of this buffer zone, particularly from Singhanamane to Tammadihalli, are reportedly strewn with rubbish and plastic debris.
Systemic Waste Management Failures and Official Responses
Forest department staff regularly conduct cleanup operations, but an official has pointed fingers at local gram panchayats for failing to manage waste along highways effectively. Pulkit Meena, director of the tiger reserve, confirmed frequent wildlife movement on the university campus and stated that the forest department maintains constant communication with university authorities to address these concerns.
Meena also revealed that authorities have issued a formal notice and halted the illegal construction of a resort by an influential leader in Kolagave village, which falls within the protected buffer zone. The waste management issue gained political attention when BJP MLC DS Arun raised the matter during a recent legislative session, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
The situation at Bhadra Tiger Reserve highlights a critical intersection of wildlife conservation, institutional accountability, and environmental stewardship that requires immediate and coordinated action from all stakeholders involved.
