A 45-year-old man named Shiv Bhagwan from Singha Kalan village in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, was killed by a herd of elephants while collecting wild mushrooms in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) forest area. Shiv Bhagwan entered the forest on Tuesday but did not return home, prompting his family to search for him and contact the forest department.
Discovery of the Body
On Wednesday, a team of forest officials launched a search operation and recovered Shiv Bhagwan’s body from the Singahi range the next day. The body was found near Changa Nala Kothi during a combing operation, with elephant footprints discovered at the scene.
Official Statements
Lalit Verma, the field director at DTR, confirmed that a sizable number of elephants reside in the Singahi range and that locals had been advised against entering the forest. He noted that the tall grasses in the forest make it difficult to spot wild animals, which likely led to the accidental attack. The body was sent for an autopsy, and the forest department is awaiting the report.
A forest official mentioned the limited staff available to secure the vast forest area and pointed out that some locals, aware of this, enter the forest to collect wild mushrooms despite the risks.
Delays in Forest Rights Act Claims
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the legislative assembly that delays in processing Forest Rights Act claims were primarily due to the lack of interest from Forest Rights Committee members. Sawant highlighted that in the 2023-24 financial year, only 308 claims were approved and 386 titles distributed, due to improper assessment and settlement delays.
Rescue Operation in Wayanad
A forest team in Wayanad, Kerala, rescued a Paniya tribal family trapped in a cave following landslides. Led by Kalpetta’s forest range officer K Ashif, the team trekked 8km through challenging terrain to reach and bring the family to safety. The family was reunited at a relief camp.
Forest Minister’s Announcements
Minister for Forests Vishwajit Rane assured that the final report on private forests would be completed and publicly available by December. He also addressed the confusion caused by an interim report and discussed efforts to reduce forest fires, revamp the Bondla zoo, and designate Pomburpa hill as a no-development zone.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the reason Shiv Bhagwan entered the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve forest area?
- A) To hunt animals
- B) To collect wild mushrooms
- C) To gather firewood
- D) To visit a friend
Answer: B) To collect wild mushrooms
- Where was Shiv Bhagwan’s body found?
- A) Near Changa Nala Kothi
- B) At a relief camp
- C) In a tribal village
- D) On the outskirts of the forest
Answer: A) Near Changa Nala Kothi
- What challenge did the forest team in Wayanad face during the rescue operation?
- A) Wild animal attacks
- B) Flooded rivers
- C) Rocky and rain-soaked terrain
- D) Dense fog
Answer: C) Rocky and rain-soaked terrain
- What did Minister Vishwajit Rane assure regarding the report on private forests?
- A) It would be delayed indefinitely
- B) It would be completed and available by December
- C) It would be kept confidential
- D) It would be scrapped
Answer: B) It would be completed and available by December
- What was the cause of the delays in processing Forest Rights Act claims according to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant?
- A) Lack of interest from Forest Rights Committee members
- B) Technical difficulties
- C) Insufficient funds
- D) Opposition from locals
Answer: A) Lack of interest from Forest Rights Committee members