Minister recommends suspension of officials over recent tiger deaths in Karnataka

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday recommended the suspension of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Y Chakrapani and three other officials for negligence and dereliction of duty in connection with the 'unnatural deaths' of five tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills, officials said.

A female tigress and her four cubs were found dead in the Hugyam range of the MM Hills on June 26.

Khandre also recommended departmental inquiries into their conduct.

Following the incident, three people—including the owner of a cow allegedly sprayed with poison and consumed by the wild cats— were arrested.

Khandre's decision came after reviewing the preliminary report submitted by a high-level inquiry committee headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Kumar Pushkar, which was set up to probe the incident. The minister has directed the committee to submit its final report by July 10.

''Based on clear evidence of negligence and dereliction of duty by officials in the unnatural deaths of the tigers, the Minister has recommended the suspension of DCF Y Chakrapani and three other officers to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms,'' Khandre's office said in a statement.

It was also alleged that for the past three months, frontline contract staff had not been paid their wages or allowances, which hampered patrolling activities.

According to Khandre's office, although funds to pay wages were released by the end of April, payments were delayed until June.

''This failure to ensure timely payment, especially by DCF Chakrapani, is seen as a serious dereliction of duty, which disrupted patrolling activities. The Minister has recommended his suspension and a departmental inquiry,'' the statement added.

On June 23, contract staff staged a protest, claiming they had not received wages for three months since March. The preliminary report indicated that demotivated staff neglected their duties, which contributed to the incident.

Citing the report, the Minister's office stated that the deaths of the approximately 11-year-old tigress and her four cubs, aged around 10 to 11 months, were primarily due to chemicals allegedly sprayed on a carcass, believed to be ''an act of revenge'' after a tiger killed livestock.

The Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Range Forest Officer (RFO), and Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) of the respective range reportedly failed to monitor patrolling staff and neglected core responsibilities related to forest protection. Consequently, Khandre has instructed their suspension and recommended departmental inquiries, the statement added.

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