After tiger deaths, MP chief conservator’s warning to forest officials: ‘Negligence will be intolerable’

PCCF V N Ambade addressed all senior wildlife officials across the state, saying incidents of tiger and leopard deaths have increased since last month and that “several wildlife deaths have occurred due to electrocution, road accidents, rail accidents, and other causes”.

“It appears that despite issuing the above instructions, negligence towards wildlife conservation is increasing,” Ambade wrote.

Ambade said that “despite having wildlife protection arrangements inside the state’s Tiger Reserves”, the seizure of “tigers’ and other wildlife skins and bones is extremely unfortunate”.

“Such incidents clearly reflect the negligence of officers and employees,” Ambade wrote.

Ambade advised that crucial instructions be immediately relayed to wildlife officials on conservation. “To prevent such incidents, establish contact with Railways and other agencies, prepare an action plan to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future, and issue instructions to subordinate officers/employees in this regard,” he wrote.

The PCCF ordered that all such cases be investigated, action be taken against negligent employees, and a report be sent to the headquarters.

“It is reiterated that forest and wildlife security is the priority of the department. Any negligence in this regard will be intolerable,” the order read.