Tiger safety: Be vigilant or face action, MP govt warns forest staff

Concerned over the killing of five tigers in the Shahdol forest circle, Madhya Pradesh Chief Wildlife Warden Jitendra Agrawal has warned disciplinary action against staff, in case they are found lacking in ensuring safety of big cats.

Two popular tiger reserves-- the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and the Sanjay National Park-- of the state comes under the Shahdol forest circle.

In a stern missive to the principal chief conservator of forest, he pointed out lapses by field staff to ensure safety of tigers.

Five tigers have died in the past two months inside the Shahdol forest circle either due to electrocution or poisoning of prey of the wild cats, the officer said.

It appears that the field staff is not taking proper measures in forest areas visited by tigers, Agrawal said.

The Shahdol forest area acts as an important corridor for the movement of tigers mainly due to the presence of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and the Sanjay National Park, he said.

"That is why regional staff need to be more vigilant in the area. Their unprofessional behaviour is harming the image of the department in state as well as in the country," Agrawal said in a letter.

The copy of the letter was received in a reply to an RTI query filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey.

The chief wildlife warden has sought a detailed report from the Shahdol circle officer in-charge on steps being taken to ensure safety of wild animals living in the forest.

He has asked for an assessment of the work being done by the chief forest conservator, Shahdol, to find out whether or not the guidelines to ensure safety of wildlife was being adhered to.

Senior officers concerned need to inform the subordinate staff that they would face disciplinary action in case they are found lacking in their duty, Agrawal said.