Coimbatore, August 27: In Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, a 48-hour shutdown has been called by local traders and organizations following the tragic deaths of two individuals due to tiger attacks. On Thursday, approximately 10,000 shops remained closed as a protest against the wildlife threat.
The local community is gripped by fear and anger after the tiger claimed the lives of Balakrishnan and Ravichandran in separate incidents. Traders, political parties, and local groups are demanding the capture of the man-eating tiger. Reports indicate that the shutdown will continue into Friday.
Earlier, a multi-party consultation meeting was held in Kotagiri to discuss the escalating human-wildlife conflict. The meeting, chaired by CPI(M) taluk secretary Manikandan, included representatives from traders’ organizations and social groups.
Proposals were passed to increase compensation for wildlife-related fatalities from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh and to provide a government job to one member of each affected family.
In response to the protests from traders and locals, the forest department has intensified efforts to capture the tiger. Under the direction of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, a team of over 100 forest personnel, led by the district forest officer Devaraj, has been assembled.
The operation employs three thermal imaging drones, 130 automatic cameras, and 12 traps, with the latest trap brought in from Coimbatore. Officials have reviewed footage from all 130 cameras, but none captured the tiger’s movements. Continuous rain, fog, and low visibility have further complicated monitoring efforts, allowing the elusive tiger to evade search teams.
Additional forest personnel from Coimbatore and other divisions have been summoned. Teams are patrolling around the clock, utilizing thermal drones to monitor plantation areas and forests. The forest department has restricted public access to areas identified as potential tiger movement zones.
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