https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Perils Of Being A Forest Ranger 

Indian Masterminds Stories

Working in the forest is a risky affair. While enforcing the law or dealing with the wild animals, forest personnel and rangers expose themselves to different kinds of danger. Every year, many of them die in the line of duty. 

According to the International Ranger Foundation, more than 40 rangers were killed during June 2022 to May 2023 in India. Recently, when an expert in firing tranquilizer darts at elephants, HH Venkatesh, died from injuries suffered in an elephant attack in the Hassan district of Karnataka, it sparked a lot of debate. A video went viral where he could be seen on foot while firing the dart. Many wildlife experts are divided in their opinions on the incident. Some say that this mishap could have been avoided if proper protocol had been followed. But, is forest a place where protocol can be followed to the dot? 

Indian Masterminds talked to few experienced Indian Forest Service officers to find out their take on this incident. 

WHAT HAPPENED

A 40-year-old tusker named Bheema had injuries on his back due to a fight with another tusker. He was seen roaming around by the villagers but had not not attacked any person or animal since getting injured till that fateful day. 

The Hassan forest division took permission from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to tranquilize the injured elephant for treatment. Venketash, who has been doing this job since last 20 years, was assigned this job. After darting the animal from just 20 ft away, he stood there on the ground thinking the animal would move forward. However, the elephant

instead turned around and chased and trampled Venkatesh who stumbled and fell to the ground while trying to save himself. He was rushed to the hospital but couldn’t be saved. 

BETTER STRATEGY 

Forest officers from across the country have offered their condolence for this tragic incident. Field Director of Bandipur, Dr. P Ramesh, said that this mishap might not have happened if proper protocol was followed. “There is no doubt about his capability. He was an expert and successfully darted around 50 animals. Yet, when such an operation comes, one should make a proper strategy before going to the field. Everyone should try to follow the safety measures because it is for their own benefit.” 

He also said that the elephant could have gone any way, and it was unfortunate that it turned on Venkatesh. 

EACH CONFLICT DIFFERENT 

Senior IFS officer Ramesh Pandey believes that each man-animal conflict is different. The terrain is different, so the situation is different. In such a scenario, it is up to the team to take a decision based on the scenario. “There are no set rules in forest. Each situation is unique. We should trust the instinct of the person on the field. Mishap could have happen while following the procedure also. One can fall out of a gypsy or fall down from the kunki elephant that is used for darting. So, one should not demean the effort of the ranger who lost his life after losing his job,” said he said.

Mr. Pandey also pointed out that there is always a scope for calculated risk in such kind of operations, and daring people do take the risks. And, we should respect their sacrifices. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Special Campaign 5.0
Swachhata Takes Centre Stage: Government Launches ‘Special Campaign 5.0’ across Key Ministries to Clear Backlogs & Boost Office Hygiene
Railtel
Results: RailTel to Announce Q2 Financial Results on October 29, Proposes Interim Dividend with November 4 Record Date
GRSE Garden Reach
Results: GRSE to Review Q2 Results on November 4, Eyes Interim Dividend with Record Date on November 11
South Eastern Coalfields Limited SECL
SECL’s 12 Coal Mining Projects Delay Due to Green Clearances and Land Issues Amid Rising Demand
DPIIT Primus Partners MoU startup ecosystem
From Idea to Impact: DPIIT’s New Initiative Fuels Startup Growth in India
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
BEL Secures Rs 633 Crore Order from Cochin Shipyard to Supply Advanced Defence Electronics Boosting India’s Maritime Security
thdc_india_contributes_
THDC India Donates Rs 1 Crore to Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Showcasing Commitment to Social Welfare
IFCI-Ltd
IFCI Limited Receives ROC Approval for Three-Month AGM Extension; Meeting Rescheduled to October 29, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Special Campaign 5.0
Swachhata Takes Centre Stage: Government Launches ‘Special Campaign 5.0’ across Key Ministries to Clear Backlogs & Boost Office Hygiene
Railtel
Results: RailTel to Announce Q2 Financial Results on October 29, Proposes Interim Dividend with November 4 Record Date
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT