Forest dept considers Sundarbans-style rear-facing masks to tackle tiger menace in Wayanad

Sulthan Bathery: Amid rising human–wildlife conflict and growing protests from the farming community over cattle lifting and repeated big-cat attacks, the Forest Department is preparing to adopt the Sundarbans model of using rear-facing face masks to deter tiger attacks in Wayanad.

Under the model, masks with painted human faces are worn on the back of the head or neck. The method has reportedly proved effective in tiger-prone areas of the Sundarbans in West Bengal.

More than 300 people have been killed in tiger attacks in the Sundarbans since 2000, while at least 46 tigers were also killed in retaliatory incidents. A few years ago, the Forest Department there introduced the rear-facing mask concept among indigenous communities, which experts say led to a sharp decline in attacks.

The strategy is based on tiger behaviour. As ambush predators, tigers typically attack from behind. When confronted with what appears to be a human face, the animal may hesitate or retreat, mistaking it for direct eye contact.

The proposal to introduce the model in Wayanad was initiated by Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Palakkad, T Uma, who has asked Wayanad Wildlife Warden Varun Daliah to examine the feasibility of distributing such masks to indigenous communities living in tiger-prone areas.

“They have been using this strategy for quite some time,” Daliah said, adding that a similar experiment has also been initiated in Bandipur.

Speaking to Onmanorama, Daliah said the department would study the finer details before implementation and that the Wayanad version would be more scientific than earlier attempts. “Tigers usually attack from behind. Anecdotal evidence from the Sundarbans suggests the project was successful. We want to ensure it is effective from the outset,” he said.

Tiger movement near forest fringes and human habitations is common in Wayanad, he said. “Tigers come and go. The problem arises when one lingers near settlements and begins attacking people and cattle.”

In most recent cases, the animals appear to have mistaken humans for prey, as victims were engaged in ground-level activities such as cutting grass, harvesting coffee or cleaning tubers. Prajeesh, a dairy farmer from Moodakkolly, was collecting grass when he was attacked and partially devoured in December 2024. Thomas of Puthiyedam near Mananthavady and Radha, a farm labourer from Pancharakolly, were also attacked while doing similar work.

“Tigers generally avoid upright, moving humans, as such figures are unfamiliar to them,” Daliah said. “When people bend down and work in postures resembling prey animals, the risk of attack increases.”

With the mating season of big cats under way, the district has seen increased tiger sightings, cattle lifting and attacks on humans. At Cheeyambam near Pulppalli, a tribal man, Maran, was killed by a tiger. The animal was later captured and is under observation.

Officials said there have been around a dozen reports of tiger sightings across the district in recent weeks. With the coffee harvest season beginning, tribal communities living in plantation areas are reluctant to venture out, fearing attacks.

It is against this backdrop that the Forest Department has proposed implementing the rear-facing face mask project for people living along forest fringes.