Eshwar

Karnataka has welcomed four cheetahs from South Africa as part of an ex-situ conservation program at Bannerghatta Biological Park. These cheetahs, two males and two females, arrived on Saturday and will be housed in special enclosures after a 30-day quarantine. This initiative aims to revive the species' presence in India and enhance public awareness and scientific research.

Karnataka Forest Department has introduced a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for eco-trails, hiking, and trekking following recent incidents. Violators will be blacklisted, and group sizes are capped at 10 trekkers with mandatory trained guides. Overnight stays are prohibited, and all treks must be completed within a single day.

Karnataka government faces a setback regarding Bhadra Tiger Reserve. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has clarified that the entire buffer zone must be considered an Eco-Sensitive Zone. This directive halts efforts by local legislators to reduce the buffer, which includes villages and private lands. The move aims to protect wildlife and prevent development restrictions.

A two-year-old female leopard was allegedly shot dead in Mysuru district, with three bullets found lodged in its body. Karnataka Forest Minister eshwar Khandre has ordered a thorough investigation and strict punishment for those responsible, citing concerns about ongoing wildlife poaching.

Search efforts for a 16-year-old girl from Kerala, Srinandhana, missing in Chikkamagaluru's Chandradrona Hills, are ongoing for the third day. Teams from police, forest department, fire services, and SDRF are combing the dense terrain. Thermal drone cameras are being used to aid the extensive search. The incident has prompted a directive for enhanced trekking safety protocols.

A 16-year-old girl from Kerala, Srinandhana, has gone missing in Chikkamagaluru's Chandradrona Hills. Authorities are utilizing thermal drones, CCTV footage, and call records in an extensive search operation. Forest and emergency personnel are involved, facing challenges from difficult terrain and dense mist. This incident follows a similar case in Kodagu.

After a harrowing 72-hour ordeal, GS Sharanya, a trekker from Kerala, was finally rescued from the Tadiandamol peak. Taking refuge in an old shack, she faced relentless weather and the wilderness. Thanks to a dedicated multi-team operation, including local tribes and high-tech drones, the 36-year-old IT professional was found safe and sound in the Pattighat reserve range.

A 36-year-old IT professional from Kerala, G S Sharanya, survived for four days alone in Karnataka's Kodagu district after getting separated from her trekking group. Enduring dense forests and unpredictable weather with limited water and no mobile network, she was eventually located by a tribal community. Sharanya emerged unharmed, showcasing remarkable resilience and a lack of fear during her ordeal.

She was part of a trekking group that climbed Kodagu’s highest peak, when she got lost. All she had was her wits, a dead phone and a bottle of water.