Tourists and local residents in Chikmagalur are on high alert following the sighting of three tigers in the shola forest areas adjacent to popular tourist routes near the foothills of Mullayanagiri.
Mother and Cubs Spotted Near Roads
The sighting includes a mother tiger and her cubs roaming in the dense forest region right next to the roads frequented by tourists and coffee plantation workers. The movement of the tigers has been observed specifically in the area between Mullayanagiri, Seethalayyanagiri, and the Pandavaralli-Seethalayyanagiri Cross.
Increased Local Anxiety
The appearance of the three big cats has caused considerable anxiety among tourists and the residents of the Pandavaralli village and its surroundings. The fear is particularly acute in Pandavaralli, where a woman was tragically killed in a tiger attack just 10 years ago. The recent sightings have brought back the threat of a big cat presence, worrying both visitors and local workers.
Forest Officials Respond
Following the multiple sightings, Forest Department officials visited the area to assess the situation and plan precautionary measures. It is suspected that the tigers may have arrived from the nearby Muthodi Tiger Reserve.
The authorities are urging tourists, coffee workers, and villagers to exercise extreme caution, especially during early morning and late evening hours, and to avoid venturing into the deep forest areas.
