Tiger deaths in Karnataka's MM Hills: Suspension of DCF, two others recommended for 'negligence, dereliction of duty'

Soon after the deaths, it was revealed that outsourced labourers in the division were not paid for about three months.

Bengaluru: A week after 5 tigers were killed near an anti-poaching camp of MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday recommended the suspension of the deputy conservator of forests Y Chakrapani and two others.

The department woke up to a rude shock on June 26 when five tigers -- a mother and four cubs --were found dead within 900 metres south of an anti-poaching camp and about 150 metres away from the road in the sanctuary's Hoogyam range. Officials later confirmed that the tigers were poisoned and were lying dead for about three days.

Khandre's recommendation to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms came in the wake of a preliminary report submitted by the high-level committee headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator (APCCF) of Forests Kumar Pushkar. "A perusal of the report shows that prima facie, the officials showed negligence and there was dereliction of duty," a statement from the minister's office said.

Soon after the death, it was revealed that outsourced labourers in the division were not paid for about three months. Demoralisation of the frontline staffers, on whom the department depends for conservation, was seen as a major reason for the tragedy.

"Though funds for payment of outsourced labourers were released in April end, the staffers were not paid in June. This shows fundamental dereliction of duty on the part of DCF Chakrapani," the statement said, noting that the beat patrolling has been affected.

The frontline staff had held a protest on June 23 against the non payment of wages. The preliminary report indicated that the prima facie it appeared that the frontline staffers had turned away from work due to the lack of wages.

Chakrapani, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Gajanana Hegde and Range Forest Officer (RFO) Madesh were sent on compulsory leave on Monday.

Desperate measures

The preliminary investigation also showed that the poisoning of the tigers was a desperate measure by the villagers. Fearing the loss of cattle, they had poisoned the carcass of a cow which was killed by a tiger.

The RFO, the ACF and the DCF have failed to monitor the situation and ensure that the frontline staffers work with efficiency. "All the three officers will be suspended and an inquiry will be initiated," the statement added.

The minister told the committee to submit the final report by July 10. The committee headed by Puskhar also comprises APCCF (Wildlife) Srinivasulu, Chamarajanagar Conservator T Heeralal, Assistant Inspector General of National Tiger Conservation Authority V Harini, conservation biologist Sanjay Gubbi.