Recent reports highlight an alarming rise in tiger deaths and hunting incidents within Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and surrounding forest divisions. This troubling situation has been brought to light by a top forest department official.
Report and Findings
A report commissioned by Shubh Ranjan Sen, Principal Conservator of Forests, in March this year reveals a concerning increase in tiger deaths in the state. The report, accessed by NDTV, outlines significant negligence and procedural lapses in the handling of tiger cases, raising serious questions about wildlife conservation efforts in the region.
Formation of Investigation Committee
To address these issues, Mr. Sen’s order led to the establishment of a special committee to investigate tiger deaths from 2021 to 2023. The committee comprises:
- Ritesh Sonfia: Indian Forest Service Officer, Chairman, Principal Officer State Tiger Strike Force
- Dr. Kajal Jaiswal: Assistant Professor, School of Wildlife Forensics and Health, Jabalpur
- Archana Joshi: Advocate and Wildlife Officer, Katni
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, covering 1,536.93 square kilometers, is known for its high tiger density and diverse wildlife, including spotted deer, sambar, and leopards. The reserve’s staff includes:
- 1 Field Director
- 1 Deputy Director
- 3 Assistant Directors
- 1 Wildlife Medical Officer
- 11 Forest Range Officers
- 1 Field Biologist
- 13 Assistant Forest Range Officers
- 28 Forest Guards
- 130 Foresters
- 1 Drone Operator
- 128 Permanent Staff
- 605 Temporary or Contractual Rangers
Key Findings on Tiger Deaths
The report identifies several causes of tiger deaths over the past three years:
- Electrocution
- Conflict
- Disease
- Old Age
- Organ Capture
- Poisoning
- Road Accidents
- Uncertain Causes
The statistics are as follows:
- 2021: 12 tiger deaths
- 2022: 9 tiger deaths
- 2023: 13 tiger deaths
The highest mortality was observed in the Manpur buffer zone, followed by Tal, Magadhi, and Khitauli core areas. Mortality rates increased in 2023.
Issues with Procedures
The report highlights several procedural failures:
- Incomplete videography of postmortems
- Lack of maintenance of Policy of Record (POR)
- Absence of prescribed veterinarians for postmortems
- Inadequate protection of crime scenes
- Poor handling of sample collection and sealing
- Insufficient documentation
- Failure to submit final National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reports
Many tiger deaths were superficially classified as infighting, with insufficient investigation and documentation. Some postmortem reports lacked signatures from veterinary officers, and wildlife medical officers were often absent.
Tiger Population and Habitat Loss
The tiger population in Bandhavgarh increased from 63 in 2014 to 165 in 2022. However, this increase has been accompanied by a rise in tiger deaths. Developmental activities such as road construction, building projects, and resorts in and around the reserve are reducing tiger habitats. This habitat loss leads to increased territorial conflicts and poaching incidents, escalating human-tiger conflicts.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the primary concern highlighted in the report on tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh?
- A) Increase in tiger population
- B) Negligence and procedural lapses in handling tiger cases
- C) Decrease in tiger habitat
- D) Improvement in wildlife conservation efforts
- Which committee members were involved in investigating tiger deaths from 2021 to 2023?
- A) Forest guards and rangers
- B) Indian Forest Service Officer, Assistant Professor, and Wildlife Officer
- C) Field Director and Deputy Director
- D) Drone Operator and Field Biologist
- How many tiger deaths were reported in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in 2023?
- A) 9
- B) 12
- C) 13
- D) 15
- What were some of the major causes of tiger deaths identified in the report?
- A) Infighting and habitat loss
- B) Electrocution, poisoning, and road accidents
- C) Disease and old age
- D) All of the above
- Which area reported the highest number of tiger deaths?
- A) Khitauli core area
- B) Magadhi core area
- C) Manpur buffer zone
- D) Tal core area