What Led to the Karnataka Government's Decision to Place Three Forest Officers on Leave?

Bengaluru, June 30 (NationPress) In response to the public outcry over the lack of accountability regarding the tragic incident involving the death of a tigress and her four cubs in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills forest area, the Karnataka government has placed three senior officials on “compulsory” leave.

This action was confirmed in a statement made by Meenaakshi Negi, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), who issued directives accordingly.

Y. Chakrapani, the Deputy Conservator of Forests for the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Division in Kollegal, is among those ordered to take leave.

In addition, Gajanana Hegde, Assistant Conservator of Forests in Hanur Wildlife Sub-Division, and Madesha, the Sub-Division Forest Officer in charge of Hoogyam Wildlife Zone, have also been instructed to proceed on leave.

New senior officials have been appointed to these roles and have been ordered to assume their responsibilities immediately.

Furthermore, the order states that specific action will be initiated against the relevant Sub-Division Forest Officer of the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Division as well as the patrolling staff, to be overseen by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar Circle.

The report highlighted that the five tigers were discovered deceased merely 100 meters from a road. Alarmingly, the carcasses had been overlooked for several days, despite being located just 800 meters from an anti-poaching camp.

It was also noted that the personnel stationed at the anti-poaching camp had not received their salaries for the last three months.

The order concluded that DCF Chakrapani and the other two officers seem to hold responsibility for this tragic event, prompting their placement on “compulsory” leave pending a comprehensive investigation.

The remains of the tigress and her cubs were found in the Meenyam forest area, within the sanctuary's Hoogyam range.

Reports indicate that the tigress had killed a cow and dragged it into the woods, where she and her cubs partially consumed the meat. Tragically, they later returned to the carcass and ingested meat that had been poisoned.

Authorities successfully apprehended three suspects in relation to this incident last Saturday.

The arrested individuals have been named as Konappa, Madaraju, and Nagaraju, all residents of Koppa village.

This case is being prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the Karnataka Forest Act of 1969, as stated by Minister Khandre.

Sources reveal that the suspects admitted to poisoning the meat out of revenge for the death of their cow. Police are also questioning three additional individuals linked to the case.

The accused claimed that the tigress had killed a cow named ‘Kenchi’. Following this incident, Maduraju expressed his anger to Nagaraju, leading them to seek vengeance against the tigress and her cubs.

They procured a pesticide, entered the forest, located the dead cow's carcass, and treated it with the chemical.

Subsequently, the tigress and her four cubs ingested the poisoned meat and tragically lost their lives.