**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the death of tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change confirms that one female tiger and four cubs were found dead. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to investigate the deaths and has submitted its report. The SIT concluded that the tigers were intentionally poisoned using Carbofuran laced in a cattle carcass, in retaliation by a group of three individuals, who were subsequently arrested within 48 hours. The SIT recommended notifying the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve for enhanced protection and financial support, a recommendation approved by the NTCA under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972. Additional SIT recommendations include welfare measures for frontline staff, filling staff vacancies, conflict management strategies with local communities, educational outreach, habitat improvement, prey base enhancement, and development of monitoring protocols. The Government of India has implemented the National Tiger Conservation Authority Normative Standards for Tourism and Project Tiger Guidelines, 2012, along with advisories and Standard Operating Procedures, to prevent future incidents. Legal action has been initiated against the responsible individuals under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Key Entities Referenced
Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka: A wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka where tiger deaths occurred.
National Tiger Conservation Authority: An authority that constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate tiger deaths in Karnataka and approved the notification of Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
Special Investigation Team: A team constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority to investigate the tiger deaths.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Carbofuran: A pesticide used to kill the tigers, by lacing a cattle carcass.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: The Act under which the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is being notified as a tiger reserve and legal action is being taken against offenders.
National Tiger Conservation Authority Normative Standards for Tourism and Project Tiger Guidelines, 2012: Guidelines issued by the Government of India for the management of tigers and their habitats.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The ministry responsible for addressing the issue of tiger deaths and implementing conservation measures.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 108
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Death of Tigers in Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka
108. SHRI RAJA A:
PROF. SOUGATA RAY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that recently five tigers including cubs were found dead in the
Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the death of
tigers;
(d) if so, whether any Report has been prepared and submitted by such team;
(e) if so, the findings thereof and if not, the time by which said Report is likely to be
prepared/submitted; and
(f) the details of action plan drawn to check such incidents in future along with the action
taken against the persons responsible for the same?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) & (b) One female tiger alongwith four cubs was found dead in the Male Mahadeshwara
Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka.
(c) & (d) A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by the National Tiger
Conservation Authority to investigate the issues related to tiger death in
Karnataka which has submitted its report.
(e) The SIT, based on evidence collected during investigation concluded that the
tigers were killed in retaliation by lacing a cattle carcass with the pesticide
Carbofuran, by a group of three who were arrested within 48 hours.
The SIT has suggested notifying the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife
Sanctuary as a tiger reserve for additional protection and financial assistance,
which has already been approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA) under relevant provisions of Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972.
Inter-alia the SIT recommended welfare measures for frontline staff, filling up
staff vacancies, conflict management strategies with local communities,educational outreach, improving habitat and prey-base besides developing
monitoring protocols.
(f) The Government of India has notified the National Tiger Conservation Authority
(Normative Standards for Tourism and Project Tiger) Guidelines, 2012 for
management of tigers & their habitats along with advisories and Standard
Operating Procedures to prevent such incidents. Legal action in the said matter
has been initiated against the offenders in the instant matter as per relevant
provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
*****