3 forest officials suspended over deaths of 5 tigers in state

Karnataka minister recommends suspending three forest officers after five tigers died from toxic poisoning, citing negligence in wildlife protection.

Karnataka forest, ecology and environment minister Eshwar B Khandre on Friday recommended the suspension of three forest department officers, including deputy conservator of forests (DCF) Y Chakrapani, in connection with the unnatural deaths of five tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) wildlife range.

The action comes in the wake of a preliminary report submitted by a high-level committee investigating the deaths of an adult tigress and her four cubs. The probe found that the big cats had consumed a cow carcass laced with a toxic chemical compound—an apparent act of revenge by miscreants. The committee, headed by additional principal chief conservator of forests Kumar Pushkar, includes senior officials from the forest department, the national tiger conservation authority (NTCA), and wildlife experts such as Sanjay Gubbi.

Khandre, addressing the media after reviewing the report, said, “There has been an utter failure in basic forest protection. The officers have shown complete negligence in monitoring. I have therefore recommended suspension and departmental inquiry against DCF Chakrapani and two other staff. Such lapses will not be tolerated when it comes to wildlife protection.”