A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified significant lapses in the investigation of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh, raising concerns over possible poaching, inadequate postmortem procedures, and medical negligence. These findings pertain to the deaths of 43 tigers between 2021 and 2023 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (34 deaths) and Shahdol Forest Circle (9 deaths).
The SIT, led by State Tiger Strike Force in-charge Ritesh Sarothia, presented its report to the acting Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) on May 14 and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Head of the Forest Force (PCCF-HoFF) on July 15. The report highlighted multiple areas of concern, pointing out that there was insufficient investigation into at least 10 tiger deaths.
According to the SIT’s findings, there was a “lack of interest by higher authorities and Forest Range Officers in discharging their duties, resulting in arrests in only two out of five cases where unnatural causes of death were found/body parts were seized,” and a “disinterest in recovering missing body parts (10 out of 34 cases) from the tiger carcasses.”
In cases where tigers died due to electrocution, the report noted an “absence of various vital evidences like mobile forensics, CDR, electric trip data in the investigation of the cases and no efforts were made to extract information on revenue and private land ownership.” Additionally, the report pointed out that in 17 cases, tiger deaths were hastily attributed to infighting without thorough investigation.
The SIT was established by the state’s Chief Wildlife Warden to investigate the unusually high number of tiger deaths in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Shahdol Forest Circle.
Ajay Dubey, a prominent wildlife activist who filed a petition regarding poaching cases in the state, commented on the report to The Indian Express, stating his intention to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court. “In their reply to the court, the state has claimed poaching cases are under control. This report sheds light on multiple irregularities by higher authorities,” he said.
Acting PCCF Subharanjan Sen acknowledged the department’s shortcomings but also noted that the report did not indicate the presence of an organized poaching gang. “The report also points to the fact that there is no organized gang working in these forests. We are facing a staff shortage. In BTR, the post of deputy director is still vacant and other officers are holding double responsibilities. An NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority, the apex tiger conservation body) team has given us recommendations and we are working on them,” he explained.
