Mysuru: After a man experienced a close encounter with a charging elephant inside the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in August, forest authorities are planning to install solar-powered security cameras. These cameras aim to monitor travellers and prevent them from getting out of their vehicles.Despite the Gundlupet-Ooty interstate national highway passing through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is closed for night traffic between 9pm and 6am, some people slow down their vehicles to catch a glimpse of animals, including elephants, tigers, and antlers. A few even risk their lives by getting out of the vehicles.The approximately 12 km long forest road starts from Melukamanahalli and ends at Madumalai at the Tamil Nadu border. The recent incident, where a man tried to take a selfie with a wild tusker and narrowly escaped the charging elephant, prompted foresters to prevent a repeat of such incidents and ensure their safety.The reserve is a critical habitat for a variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and other species. It is intersected by an interstate national highway, which, while facilitating transportation, also poses significant risks of human-animal conflicts.Following the incident, forest officials have increased patrolling along the highway that runs through the reserve. BTR director S Prabhakaran informed TOI that patrolling is crucial in monitoring the movement of animals near the highway and in deterring people from stopping or getting too close to wildlife, which can provoke dangerous situations.Additionally, there are plans to install solar-powered cameras along the route. These cameras will provide real-time monitoring of public movement, allowing forest officials to respond to any potential threats immediately, explained Prabhakaran.He said they have doubled the patrolling initiative to protect people and safeguard the animals.Earlier, BTR authorities banned feeding roadside animals with packaged and junk foods and initiated action against violators. Even stopping vehicles midway is restricted, and throwing plastic along the route is punishable.
