Tiger killed in illegal snare near Nagarahole; Minister orders probe

A three-year-old tiger has died after being caught in a snare illegally set up on farmland barely 300 metres from the forest boundary in Metikuppe range of Nagarahole National Park. The incident has raised fresh concerns over failures in preventing wildlife deaths along forest fringes.

Despite repeated government directives to remove snares from agricultural lands bordering forests, the continued use of such traps has led to recurring wildlife deaths, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of surveillance and patrolling.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre has ordered a detailed probe into the incident.

He directed that an inquiry be conducted by a team led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for laying the snare. Mr. Khandre said forest personnel found negligent in their patrolling duties would face action.

Expressing concern over the incident, the Minister noted that lapses by field staff appear evident despite repeated instructions to clear illegal traps from forest-fringe areas. The Minister directed stepping up of surveillance along forest boundaries and removal of all snares to prevent wildlife deaths.

The latest death follows a similar incident in December when a tiger was killed after being caught in a snare at a plantation in Srimangala, near the Nagarahole forest, in Kodagu district.

Following the incident, the Forest Department officials had been instructed to step up awareness campaigns among communities living along forest fringes, highlighting the legal consequences of wildlife deaths caused by snares. Teams were also formed across forest ranges to conduct regular combing operations to detect and remove illegal traps.

However, despite these measures and repeated warnings, deaths of wild animals due to snares continue to be reported due to snares.