Journalism of Courage

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

Five tigers have died in the past week. A tiger chasing prey was hit by a train in Ratapani on December 11. Two tiger cubs were found dead in a forest reserve in Sidhi district on Thursday. On the same day, another tiger was electrocuted in Balaghat.

tiger deaths madhya pradesh, madhya Pradesh tiger deaths, tiger deaths, Madhya Pradesh loses tiger, MP loses tiger, Madhya Pradesh tiger death, Madhya Pradesh tiger dies, Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh government, Indian express news, current affairsThe PCCF ordered that all such cases be investigated, action be taken against negligent employees, and a report be sent to the headquarters.
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After a recent spate of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh, the state’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has issued a stern directive to all forest officials across the state, warning that negligence in wildlife protection “will be intolerable”.

Five tigers have died in the past week. A tiger chasing prey was hit by a train in Ratapani on December 11. Two tiger cubs were found dead in a forest reserve in Sidhi district on Thursday. On the same day, another tiger was electrocuted in Balaghat.

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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.

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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.

 

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Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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