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Tiger Deaths in Karnataka: 2 Forest Officers Sacked, Suspension of IFS Officer Recommended

Preliminary Probe Reveals Dereliction of Duty, Unpaid Staff, and Retaliatory Killing. Tigress and Cubs Poisoned in Revenge Killing; Forest Staff Suspended Over Negligence
Indian Masterminds Stories

BENGALURU: In a major fallout from the recent deaths of a tigress and her four cubs at the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (MM Hills WLS) in Karnataka, the state government has suspended two forest officers and recommended action against a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre announced the measures on Friday after reviewing a preliminary report submitted by a high-level inquiry committee led by Additional Chief Principal Conservator of Forests Kumar Pushkar.

Read Also: Shocking: 5 Tigers Found Dead in Karnataka’s MM Hills Sanctuary, Suspected Poisoning Sparks Outrage – Details Inside

Action Taken Against Forest Officials

Assistant Conservator of Forests Gajanana Hegde and Range Forest Officer-cum-Surveyor Madesh have been suspended for dereliction of duty, while Deputy Conservator of Forests Chakrapani Y is facing suspension. All three officers were placed on compulsory leave on June 30 pending a full investigation.

Unpaid Salaries Crippled Patrolling Efforts

A key revelation in the preliminary report was the non-payment of salaries and allowances to frontline forest staff, many of whom were employed on an outsourced basis. The delays reportedly left the sanctuary without adequate patrolling coverage during a critical period.

According to the inquiry report, while funds had been released by the end of April 2025, the responsible officers failed to ensure timely disbursal of wages for March, April, and May. This negligence led to widespread dissatisfaction among ground-level staff, culminating in protests on June 23.

The officers failed in their basic duty of ensuring timely payment of wages to watchers,” the report stated, adding that the delay in submitting payment bills to the treasury was “unjustifiable.”

Tigers Poisoned in Retaliation for Cow Killing

Perhaps most disturbing was the report’s conclusion on the cause of the tiger deaths. The tigress and her cubs were poisoned in retaliation for the killing of a cow, highlighting ongoing tensions between local cattle owners and wildlife conservation efforts.

The report urged immediate action to control cattle grazing within the sanctuary and recommended a complete ban on non-local cattle in the area. It also called for a review of existing grazing rights and enhanced compensation schemes to discourage retaliatory killings.

Awareness needs to be created among the locals about compensation provisions,” the report said, underlining the need for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife in the fragile ecosystem.

Read Also: Tiger Involved in Killing Watchman Shifted from Ranthambore: Tranquilised Late Night and Sent to Karauli Enclosure

Political and Public Outcry

The deaths of the tigers triggered widespread outrage across Karnataka and among conservationists nationwide. The incident has also reignited debate about the challenges faced by forest departments, especially regarding staffing, funding, and local conflicts.

Minister Khandre emphasized the need for structural reforms and promised accountability. “We are committed to protecting our forests and wildlife. No negligence will be tolerated,” he said.


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