The order comes after a 33-year-old woman tourist died during a clash between two elephants at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a safari in an open camper vehicle at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Sunday. (File photo)

Synopsis: 

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to replace open camper vehicles with secured buses for safari operations across the State’s tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries after a tourist died at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu. He also ordered officials to fit existing safari vehicles with iron-bar grills or shatterproof glass, equip them with first-aid kits, and ensure ambulance services.

Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to replace open camper vehicles with buses for safari operations across the State’s five tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

The order comes after a 33-year-old woman tourist died during a clash between two elephants at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu.

Khandre said the State would replace open camper vehicles with fully secured buses to improve tourists’ safety during safaris. As an interim measure, existing vehicles will be fitted with iron-bar grills or shatterproof glass, he said.

He further directed officials to equip every safari vehicle with a first-aid kit and ensure ambulance services near safari centres and elephant camps.

Dubare incident

On Monday, May 18, 33-year-old Juneshe was crushed to death at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu after she was caught in a fight between two Dasara elephants, Kanjan and Jai Marthanda.

Jai Marthanda was being bathed by tourists as part of an activity offered at the camp when Kanjan was brought nearby to drink water.

Kanjan then reportedly attacked Jai Marthanda, triggering a clash between the two elephants.

During the fight, one of the elephants reportedly lost balance and fell on the tourist, who was taking part in the bathing activity. Jai Marthanda sustained injuries to its head, ears and back during the fight. The elephant succumbed to its injuries the next day.

(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Anisha Reddy)

source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / South First / Home / South First Desk / by Dese Gowda and inputs Anisha Reddy / May 21st, 2026

Sooryaprakasha (female) Photo| Express

The species was named after late botanist Dr Sooryaprakash Shenoy. According to the team, Shenoy was an eminent botanist and head scientist at the Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Mangaluru.

Kasaragod :

A species of damselfly that was discovered in Kodagu last year was recently spotted in Kasaragod.

“Damselflies like dragonflies indicate a healthier ecosystem,” said Muhammed Haneef K A, assistant professor of botany at Thalassery Government Brennen College.

He along with fellow researchers discovered the Protosticta sooryaprakashi, which they named the Kodagu shadowdamsel. The team published its findings in the peer reviewed journal Zootaxa.

The species was named after late botanist Dr Sooryaprakash Shenoy. According to the team, Shenoy was an eminent botanist and head scientist at the Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Mangaluru. He was widely regarded for his efforts towards biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats.

“The damselfly stands apart with a bluish-white prothoracic marking, duck-head-shaped genital tips, and distinct caudal appendage structure. It is also the smallest of its species,” said Haneef.

Sooryaprakasha (male)

Haneef was on a field trip in Panathur region in Kasaragod when he spotted the damselfly. “We later spotted it in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. We believe its presence in Wayanad is also due to the region’s micro-climate, which is similar to that of Kodagu,” he said.

Nearly 80% of the protosticta genus flies in the country are endemic to the Western Ghats.

Dragon and damselflies are carnivores which feed on small insects, especially mosquitoes. The Protosticta sooryaprakashi is found in micro-climates with running forest streams, clean water and lots of shade. “The presence of this delicate fly indicates the health of the micro-climate,” Haneef said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Kerala / by Arockiaraj J / May 20th, 2026

Rs 1 crore to be provided for Beary community hall in Kodagu: Speaker U T Khader

Madikeri:

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader said that Rs 1 crore will be allocated for the construction of a Beary community hall in Kodagu district, and directed officials to identify suitable land for the project.

He was speaking after inaugurating the first Kodagu District Beary Literary Conference organised by the Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy in association with the Kodagu Bearys Welfare Trust.

The event was presided over by B A Shamshuddin. Khader said the grant of Rs 1 crore would be facilitated with the support of local MLA Mantar Gowda and Virajpet MLA as well as Chief Minister’s legal advisor A S Ponnanna.

Highlighting the cultural importance of the community, he said Beary culture, literature and traditions have a distinct history and called for efforts to preserve and promote them.

He said the literary conference would help encourage discussions, strengthen the Beary language, and guide the community towards development. It would also help educate youth about Beary literature, culture and history, and provide a platform for exchange of ideas.

Khader also stressed the importance of learning and respecting all languages, stating that in a globally connected world, multilingualism promotes harmony.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Mantar Gowda assured that funds would be released once land is identified for the construction of the community hall.

source: http://www.msn.com / MSN / Home / by Newspoint / April 2026

Rashmika Mandanna and The Weeknd are set to share the stage at the Anime Awards 2026. Read more here.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna will be returning to the 10th Global Anime Awards as a presenter, set to be held in Tokyo, Japan, on May 23, 2026. She made history as the first Indian to present an award at the 2024 Anime Awards in Tokyo. The global ceremony, which honours excellence in anime across categories, will see the actress join an esteemed lineup of international presenters, including global music sensation The Weeknd.

It will be especially exciting to see Rashmika Mandanna and The Weeknd share the stage as presenters, bringing together two massive global fan bases. Their combined presence is expected to add a unique energy to the ceremony, blending the worlds of cinema and music on a global platform.

Rashmika has often expressed her fondness for anime and its imaginative storytelling. From admiring iconic characters to appreciating the depth and emotion that anime narratives bring to life, her interest in the genre aligns seamlessly with the spirit of the Anime Awards. Her association with the event not only reflects her personal passion but also highlights the increasing crossover between global entertainment industries.

On the film front, she has a career spanning multiple industries, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema.

The actress was last seen in the film The Girlfriend with Dheekshith Shetty and Anu Emmanuel, among others. Up next, she has interesting projects in the pipeline. Rasmika Mandanna will be seen in the Hindi film Cocktail 2 with Kriti Sanon and Shahid Kapoor. It will be released theatrically on June 19. She then has the Telugu films Mysaa and Ranabaali. For the latter, she will share the screen with her actor-husband Vijay Deverakonda. Both these films are slated for release this year.

source: http://www.filmfare.com / FilmFare / Home> News> Bollywood / by Filmfare / April 28th, 2026