Minister alarmed as 82 tigers die over 5 years

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Expressing deep shock over reports that 82 tigers have died in Karnataka in the past five-and-a- half years, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed forest officials to submit a detailed report on each death.

The minister has instructed the Additional Chief Secretaries and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to clarify how many of these 82 tigers died of natural causes and how many deaths were unnatural. He has also questioned whether proper investigations were conducted into the unnatural deaths and what reasons were found for such deaths.

Khandre has further sought details on whether any body parts such as claws or teeth were removed from the dead tigers, whether any forest staff or officers were held accountable for negligence in cases of poaching , how many poaching cases led to arrests, and how many accused have been convicted so far.

He has given officials 10 days to submit a complete report including the number of ongoing cases, reasons for any investigation delays, and the action taken so far.

Leopard poaching in MM Hills The minister has also directed a probe into media reports that a leopard was killed and its legs were chopped off in the MM Hills region recently. This comes after five tigers reportedly died due to poisoning in Hoogya area under the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

A team led by the APCCF has been asked to investigate the leopard killing in the Kaudalli range, near Ramapura–Martalli border, and submit a report with recommendations for action against any officials or staff found guilty.