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.
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.
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.
