Gudalur: Tourism in the Nilgiris district came to a standstill on Thursday as the Gudalur-Pandalur Traders' Forum and several farmers' groups called a 24-hour hartal protesting repeated wildlife attacks.

Most roads were empty, with few state transport buses running and all private vehicles, including taxis, autos, trucks, and pickups, off the road. 

Aliyar Maliyekkal, leader of the Traders’ Forum, said the turnout reflects public concern. He urged the state government and forest department to act quickly to curb the wildlife menace threatening human life.

Farmers’ groups said five people had died in wildlife attacks in the last 30 days, the latest being Mehboob Alias Shamsduheen, a resident of Owali near Gudalur.