Why in NEWS
A tigress and her four cubs were found dead, likely poisoned, in Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. The incident highlights the growing human-wildlife conflict in ecologically sensitive zones.
Key Concepts Simplified
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tiger Corridor | A natural habitat link that allows tiger movement between different reserves |
| Dry Deciduous Forest | Forests that shed leaves seasonally and are common in peninsular India |
| Human-Wildlife Conflict | Disputes arising due to animals straying into human settlements or humans encroaching forests |
News Details
- Incident occurred in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamarajanagar district, near Tamil Nadu border.
- Area is ecologically critical as it connects BRT Tiger Reserve, Cauvery WLS, and Sathyamangalam TR.
- Suspected poisoning reflects intensifying human-animal tensions in shared landscapes.
- MM Hills was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 2013.
- Tiger Reserve status has been pending for nearly 15 years. If approved, Chamarajanagar will be India’s first district with 3 tiger reserves (Bandipur, BRT, MM Hills).
- Karnataka is India’s second-largest tiger state with 563 tigers, after Madhya Pradesh (785).
- Human presence:
- Soligas – Indigenous community; ex-hunter-gatherers
- Lingayats – Priests from Mysore involved in temple duties
Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Wildlife Sanctuary: Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chamarajanagar district, southeastern Karnataka, near Tamil Nadu border |
| Year of Notification | Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 2013 |
| Forest Types | Dry deciduous (mainly), along with moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen, and shola |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “TIGER-HC”
- Tigress & cubs poisoned
- Important corridor
- Growing conflict
- Evergreen-shola mix
- Reserve status pending
- Human settlements (Soligas & Lingayats)
- Chamarajanagar’s unique 3-reserve potential
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following tiger reserves is located in Tamil Nadu?
A. BRT Tiger Reserve
B. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
C. Bandipur Tiger Reserve
D. Nagarhole Tiger Reserve - Which forest types are found in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary?
A. Tropical Rainforest only
B. Alpine Forests only
C. Dry deciduous, moist deciduous, evergreen, and shola forests
D. Mangrove forests and dry scrub - Which community is indigenous to the MM Hills region?
A. Santhals
B. Soligas
C. Bhils
D. Todas
Prelims Answer Key with Explanations
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Sathyamangalam is in Tamil Nadu and is part of the contiguous tiger corridor. |
| 2 | C | MM Hills has dry deciduous, moist deciduous, evergreen, and shola forests. |
| 3 | B | The Soligas are an indigenous tribe living in and around the MM Hills area. |
