Overview

• Supreme Court issued notices to the Karnataka government and MoEFCC, demanding formal replies on the poisoning of a tigress and four cubs in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
• A Supreme Court–appointed SIT concluded villagers deliberately laced a cattle carcass with pesticide, causing the deaths of five tigers.
• The CEC report highlighted that 80% of forest watcher and 51% of forester posts in MM Hills were vacant, and contractors withheld salaries for three months, crippling patrols.
• Three villagers have been arrested and confessed to poisoning the carcass, while several forest officials, including the MM Hills deputy conservator, have been suspended pending further inquiry.
• The court has directed the MoEFCC to coordinate with states on a permanent human–wildlife conflict policy including intensified patrolling, surveillance measures and livestock compensation schemes.