In a remote village in Karnataka's Malnad region, schoolchildren are grappling with the dual threats of wildlife encounters and inadequate transportation . In July, three seventh graders from Marathi Camp, located in N.R. Pura taluk, experienced a terrifying moment when they spotted a leopard while walking home from school. This incident has since heightened fears among the local community,leading to a temporary suspension of classes .
The children,Lakshmi, Ranjitha, and Pallavi,were returning from their school in Byrapura,about 3 kilometers away,when they froze in fear at the sight of the leopard near a dry stream. following day, the anxiety escalated when parents,concerned for their children's safety, reported seeing what they believed to be tiger tracks along same route. As a result, none of the 28 students from the village attended school for three days.
Although classes have resumed,the fear of wildlife encounters lingers in the village,which consists of around 44 families. In response to the situation, local officials established an anganwadi center within Marathi Camp to provide better access to education for younger children. Previously, children under six had to walk to the anganwadi located at the school, but now they have a dedicated facility nearby,the headmaster.
To further ensure safety,school authorities have advised students to travel in groups . The school,situated in the Chikkamagaluru district amidst the Western Ghats,faces unique challenges due to its geographical location. Shabana Anjum,the Block Education Officer,noted that children from remote areas are eligible for financial assistance of ₹6,000 annually, aimed at covering transportation costs. However,parents have reported significant difficulties in utilizing this aid.
Bagu Navilappa,a parent and president of the School Development and Monitoring Committee, expressed frustration over the lack of infrastructure. He pointed out that most villagers are daily-wage workers, making it nearly impossible to arrange transportation with available funds. "There is no proper road to our village. Even ambulances can hardly reach us during emergencies. How can we expect to run vehicles to ferry our children?" he questioned .
In the immediate aftermath of the leopard sighting, some villagers temporarily provided tractors and autorickshaws to transport children to school. However,this arrangement was short-lived,and students soon returned to navigating the perilous forest route. Currently, many children walk to school, with some opting for a shorter path through agricultural fields. Farmers have allowed access through narrow passages to help reduce travel time, but risks remain .
Residents like Takamma have witnessed the frequent presence of wildlife in their village. She recounted an incident where a leopard took sheep from a neighbor's property,highlighting ongoing threat posed by wild animals. "Wild animals keep visiting our village . I have seen elephants strolling through our streets," she remarked .
The challenges faced by Marathi Camp's children underscore the broader issues confronting remote communities in the Malnad region, where human settlements are often surrounded by wildlife habitats. Reports of elephant attacks in Hassan district and similar concerns in Chikkamagaluru,Kodagu, and Shivamogga districts have raised alarms about safety.
Villagers are calling for improved road infrastructure and reliable transportation options. Babu, another local resident,emphasized the need for better access,stating,"As our locality is on the fringes of the forest,there are hardly any roads to access it. We have to walk long distances to reach the nearest bus stop. Schoolchildren also face this problem. Once roads are improved, we can demand well-planned transportation facility." The intersection of education, safety, and infrastructure continues to pose significant challenges for community.
