The Karnataka government has suspended trekking expeditions and public movement in wildlife-sensitive forest areas across the State following the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district.

The decision comes days after a leopard allegedly dragged away and killed Harishith, a young pilgrim from Bengaluru, while he was trekking with family members towards the Nagamale hill shrine on Sunday.

Government orders immediate suspension

Alarmed by the incident and rising concerns over human-animal conflict, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre directed forest officials to immediately halt trekking and eco-tourism activities in areas frequented by leopards, tigers, elephants, and sloth bears.

Officials said the suspension would remain in force until further notice in vulnerable forest stretches where adequate safety arrangements are not available.

The directions were issued through the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden.

Second fatal attack near Nagamale

Authorities noted that the latest tragedy was not an isolated incident. Earlier in January 2026, another pilgrim from Mandya district was reportedly killed by a leopard while trekking along the same Nagamale route.

Following the repeated attacks, both the Forest Department and the MM Swamy Kshetra Development Authority have faced criticism from pilgrims over alleged lapses in safety measures and insufficient deployment of security personnel.

Safety review ordered before reopening

The government has instructed officials to strictly implement recently issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for trekking and eco-tourism activities.

The Karnataka Forest Department and the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board have also been directed to assess wildlife movement patterns and strengthen precautionary systems before reopening trekking routes.

Nagamale, located in Hanur taluk within the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, attracts pilgrims and trekkers who travel nearly three kilometres through forest stretches from Indiganatha village to reach the shrine