41 children from NR Pura village skip school after leopard, tiger spotted on forest path

CHIKKAMAGALUR: Forty one children from the remote hamlet of Byrapura in N R Pura taluk on the forest fringe have been deprived of education as they are not attending school due to fear of tigers and leopards.

Byrapura village is a remote hamlet on the forest fringe adjacent to the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. While children who have seen tigers and leopards with their own eyes are hesitant to go to school, parents are also reluctant to send their children to school.

In the Malnad region, the menace of wild animals is increasing day by day, creating a situation that is even obstructing children’s education. Due to fear of tigers and leopards, 41 children from Byrapura village have been absent from school for the past two days.

The route from Byrapura village, which adjoins the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, to the school passes through dense forest. It is said that a leopard was spotted on this route on Tuesday and a tiger on Wednesday, creating an atmosphere of fear among villagers and parents. Parents have also made it clear that children’s safety is the first priority and they will not send their children to school.

As a result, 41 students of Bairapura school have been absent from classes for two days. Teachers wait at the school every day for the children to come and return in the evening. After learning about the issue, Education department officials visited the village and tried to convince the parents and villagers.

On the other hand, villagers, who insisting on a permanent solution to the problem, have demanded construction of an alternative road to reach the school. They have also demanded that trenches and safety fences be built along the sanctuary border to prevent wild animals from entering the village.

Forest department officials have assured that necessary steps will be taken to capture the leopard and tiger. The N R Pura tahsildar also visited the spot and promised construction of an alternative road. The fact that children’s education itself has been disrupted due to the fear of wild animals has caused anxiety among villagers, and they have demanded a swift and permanent solution to the problem.