Image of dead tiger set off a search in dense forest of Madhya Pradesh. What officials found was a cover-up

Now, state wildlife officials have asked the Balaghat Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to explain how and why the tiger’s death was kept a secret.

On August 2, officials came to know about the death of the tiger and were sent “photographs regarding the carcass of a tiger and its destruction by burning”.

Vivek Jain, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Admin-1), wrote to Balaghat DFO Adhar Gupta that the carcass was found near Potutola Canal in an incident that “occurred 10–12 days earlier” and that the carcass “had been secretly destroyed”.

It said that after learning about the incident, Balaghat wildlife officials sent a team, along with a dog squad, to the site for investigation. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Balaghat, also dispatched a flying squad to investigate.

The team questioned local residents and shepherds regarding the incident, and the “information was confirmed to be correct”.

“Further questioning of a security worker from the area revealed the names of six individuals. They stated that a tiger carcass was found floating in a drain, and they informed Forest Guard (Beat Guard) Himanshu Ghormare, and Forest Ranger Assistant (Range Assistant) Tikaram Hanote,” the letter read.

Following the instructions of the Forest Guard and Range Assistant, the “carcass was taken about 4–5 kilometres into the forest and burned”, it said, adding, “In the initial inquiry and investigation, the Range Assistant and Beat Guard admitted to committing the offence.”

Ghormare and Hanote were suspended on August 3 after the investigation. The team formed by the forest department arrested five others who worked as watchmen in the Sonwani area. They were Harilal (49), Mansingh (40), Devsingh (34), Shiv Kumar (37), and Anuj (23).

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests wrote that the DFO had failed to exercise control over his subordinates, “displaying gross negligence”.

“From the above details, it is evident that in this highly important case, you failed to exercise control over your subordinates and did not inform your senior office about the matter in accordance with the rules in a timely manner, thereby displaying gross negligence and indiscipline in the discharge of your official duties,” the letter read.

The DFO has been directed to submit an explanation within 10 days of receipt of the letter and explain why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against him.

Divisional Forest Officer Adhar Gupta told The Indian Express, “We have confirmed that the tiger was found by the staff. Our investigation indicates that this is not a case of poaching. It is a case of natural death. However, the lapse was that the staff did not inform senior officers. Had they done so, we could have conducted a postmortem and shed more light on the cause of death and other circumstances surrounding the case.”