Minister seeks report on the deaths of tigers in the last five-and-a-half years in Karnataka

Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday directed Forest Department officials to submit a report on the deaths of tigers in the State in the last five-and-a-half years.

Expressing shock over media reports claiming that 82 tigers had died in the State in the last five-and-a-half years, he sought a report to be submitted within 10 days.

Mr. Khandre has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, and the Chief Wildlife Wardens in this regard. He has sought details of how many of these 82 tiger deaths were due to natural causes and how many tigers died of unnatural causes.

The Minister also sought details on the investigation conducted into these deaths and on the status of the investigation reports.

“Were any of the organs of the dead tigers, such as nails and teeth, removed? If the tigers were killed, has action been taken against the staff and officials who showed negligence? How many accused have been arrested and punished in cases of tiger killings so far? How many cases are under investigation?,” the Minister sought to know.

Leopard killed in M.M. Hills

Mr. Khandre also ordered an investigation into the alleged killing of a leopard in the Ramapur-Martalli border of the Kaudalli zone. “A few days before the case of alleged poisoning of five tigers at Hoogyam in M.M Hills, a leopard was killed in the Ramapur-Martalli border of Kaudalli zone, and its legs were amputated. An investigation has been ordered by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests-led team,” Mr. Khandre said.

“If it is true that the leopard’s limbs were amputated, it has been instructed to submit a report within seven days with recommendations for action to be taken against the guilty officer and staff,” he added.