K.M. Chinnappa, 84, who was synonymous with Nagarahole and wildlife protection, passed away at his residence in Kumatoor village in Srimangala, Kodagu district of Karnataka, on February 26.
A former Forest Department official, he was instrumental in ensuring protection to Nagarahole, fending off pressure from timber mafia and local politicians when the forest was still a wildlife sanctuary and had not yet received the status of a tiger reserve.
Consequent to protection in the early days through 1960s to ‘80s, the prey density and the carnivore population number in Nagarahole increased as did the number of Chinnappa’s detractors from whom he constantly suffered harassment, forcing him to opt for a voluntary retirement in 1992-93.
