Latest news with #M.M.HillsWildlifeDivision
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Tiger deaths at M.M. Hills: Govt suspends DCF Chakrapani
The State government has suspended Chakrapani Y., Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) M.M. Hills Wildlife Division for dereliction of duty and negligence in the case of the unnatural death of five tigers — a mother and her cubs — in the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka on June 26. On July 4, Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre had ordered the suspension of Assistant Conservator of Forests Gajanana Hegde of M.M. Hills Wildlife Division, and Range Forest Officer-cum-Surveyor Madesh while recommending the suspension of Mr. Chakrapani who is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officer for dereliction of duty and negligence in the above case. On June 30, the three officers were sent on compulsory leave until further notice. On Monday the State government issued an order suspending the IFS Officer following a high-level inquiry committee report on the death of the tiger and her cubs. 'In exercise of the powers under Rule 3(1) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, Chakarapani Y., IFS, DCF, MM Hills, Wildlife Division, Kollegal, is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry. During the period of suspension, the officer shall be paid subsistence allowance in accordance with Rule 4 of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.' the order stated. 'During the period of suspension, the officer shall not leave the headquarters under any circumstances without the written permission of the state government,' it added.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- The Hindu
Tiger deaths at M.M. Hills: DCF and two officers suspended
Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has recommended the suspension of three officers for dereliction of duty and negligence in the case of the unnatural death of five tigers — a mother and her cubs — in the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka on June 26. The three officers are Deputy Conservator of Forests Chakrapani Y., Assistant Conservator of Forests Gajanana Hegde of M.M. Hills Wildlife Division, and Range Forest Officer-cum-Surveyor Madesh. On June 30, the three officers were sent on compulsory leave until further notice. The Minister, who received and reviewed the preliminary report of the high-level inquiry committee headed by Additional Chief Principal Conservator of Forests Kumar Pushkar, made this recommendation to suspend the trio to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. A Forest Department order, which had asked the three officers to go on leave, had said that non-payment of salary and allowances to the frontline outsourced staff had hampered the patrolling in the area where the death of the five tigers occurred. According to a statement from Mr. Khadre, though money was released by April-end to pay the salary and allowances to the frontline outsourced staff, not paying them till June is a dereliction of duty on the part of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, which has caused setbacks in the patrol work. The outsourced staff had protested on June 23 over not being paid since March. 'It is apparent that the frontline staff was evading duty due to non-payment of salary on time,' Mr. Khadre said. According to the preliminary investigation report, the cause of death of the 11-year-old tiger and her four cubs, aged 10 to 11 months, was due to a chemical compound sprayed on the carcass of a cow that was attacked and killed by a tiger. 'It is observed that for an area of 147.99 sq. km, we have only seven posts of beat forester filled against the sanctioned strength of 21, and only one forest watcher post is filled against the sanctioned strength of seven. There is a serious shortage of frontline staff to carry out protection duties effectively. Based on the above facts, the frontline staff cannot be blamed for negligence or failure in their duty, leading to the death of five tigers. However, a detailed analysis of M-STRIPES and patrol data will give a clearer picture of the regularity of patrolling,' the preliminary report stated. Forest officials have arrested three persons who were allegedly directly involved in the case. Mr. Khandre said the officers have completely failed to monitor and have shown negligence in their basic duty of forest protection. Apart from suspending the three officers, he also instructed the authorities to conduct a departmental inquiry. Mr. Khandre has also directed that the final report of the committee be submitted by July 10.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- The Hindu
Minister calls for urgent measures to prevent killing of wild animals and cattle in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar dist.
Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister and Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister K. Venkatesh on Thursday directed Forest Department officials to take stringent and urgent preventive measures to ensure that wild animals and cattle are not killed in forest border areas and nearby villages. In the wake of the recent deaths of five tigers by poisoning in the Hoogyam range of the M.M. Hills Wildlife Division, and the death of monkeys in the Kandagalu area of Gundlupet range, the Minister held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner and Forest officials in Hanur to gather information. He was updated on the ongoing investigation being conducted by Central and State-level officials on the tiger deaths, and sought details on the current stage of the probe. The Minister instructed officials to remain extra vigilant in protecting cattle in villages bordering forests, and take steps to prevent wild animals from straying into villages in search of food. Under the MGNREGA scheme, fodder cultivation should be promoted and ponds constructed in villages near forests to benefit cattle, he said, emphasising that there should be no shortage of fodder or water for local livestock. Patrolling in forest areas and adjoining villages must be intensified, including special night patrols, he directed. Deploying watchers and other forest staff under proper supervision will help prevent wildlife attacks, he advised. 'When wild animals attack cattle, forest officials must build confidence among farmers and villagers by consoling them and should respond immediately,' the Minister suggested. The Minister stressed that it is the responsibility of the Forest Department to ensure timely payment of salaries to outsourced staff in the M.M. Wildlife Division. 'This issue should be brought to the notice of higher authorities without any delay and resolved at the earliest,' he instructed. The Minister assured that steps would be taken to get necessary grants sanctioned to provide protection and basic facilities for wildlife, people, and livestock in forest fringe areas. MLA M.R. Manjunath, CADA Chairman P. Mariswamy, former MLA R. Narendra, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag, and other officials were present.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tiger deaths at M.M. Hills: DCF, ACF sent on compulsory leave
The Forest Department has sent the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) and Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of M.M. Hills Wildlife Division on compulsory leave following the death of five tigers — a mother and its cubs — in the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka on June 26. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) in an order issued on Monday sent DCF Chakrapani Y. and ACF Gajanana Hegde on compulsory leave until further notice. Not noticed The order said that despite the carcass of five tigers being found just 100 metres from an asphalt road, it did not come to the attention of the department staff for two days which was considered a very serious lapse in forest and wildlife conservation. It also said that the carcasses were found just 800 metres from an anti-poaching camp. The order also said that non-payment of salaries and allowances to the frontline outsourced staff also hampered the patrolling. 'Prima facie it is found that the reason for this [death] is the negligence of the DCF, ACF, Zonal Forest Officer and Sub-Zonal Forest Officer and patrol personnel of the M.M. Hills Wildlife Division, and an investigation is required; action is being taken separately against the Sub-Zonal Forest Officer-cum-Surveyor and patrol personnel of the branch concerned at the level of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar Circle, Chamarajanagar,' the order stated. The department has also given additional charge to officers for the above posts. Investigations The State government has also constituted a high-level committee to probe the tiger deaths. The committee has been directed to submit a report in 14 days. Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre on Monday said that disciplinary action would be taken if any negligence of any officer was found in the case. Disciplinary action was likely to be taken following the completion of the investigation and submission of the investigation report. Forest officials have arrested three persons who were allegedly directly involved in the poisoning of the tigers. The three accused have been arrested under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Indian Forest Act, 1969. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also ordered a probe into the incident and constituted a Special Investigation Team for the purpose.
