Karnataka government’s recent Tourism Policy for 2024-29, promoting 13 new places in Mysuru district as tourist spots, including Beladakuppe Mahadeshwara temple in Saragur taluk, has drawn flak from environmentalists. The temple lies in Hediyala range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

The recent incident of a tiger attacking farmer Mahadev of Badagalapura village, during a tiger combing operation, left him blind. He is still undergoing treatment.

The incident has sent shock waves among the people. At a time when human-animal conflict is on a rise and the Forest department rescuing a tiger on the fringes of the forest in Saragur taluk recently, wildlife lovers and environmentalists are opposing inclusion of Beladakuppe Mahadeshwara temple in the list of tourist spots.

The Mahadeshwara temple, l

See Full Page