BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav on Sunday ordered suspension of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve field director Gaurav Chaudhary and in-charge assistant conservator of forests Fateh Singh Ninama for negligence over the deaths of 10 wild elephants in Umaria district. He also ordered the constitution of an Elephant Task Force.
While reviewing the jumbo deaths in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve area, CM Yadav said while it was a critical incident, with multiple elephants dying, the field director did not return from leave and necessary precautions following the arrival of the elephant herd were not taken.
Yadav said that a state-level Elephant Task Force will be constituted in Madhya Pradesh to promote harmonious elephant-human coexistence. Special “Hathi Mitras” will be appointed to support this initiative. In regions with significant elephant activity, solar fencing systems will be installed to protect crops.
Expressing concern over the deaths of 10 elephants on separate occasions in the forest area of Umaria district, Yadav said a team of officials, including the state forest minister, has already inspected the site. The preliminary report indicates no traces of pesticides, though the detailed post-mortem examination report is awaited.
Yadav hiked the compensation for loss of life in the incident that occurred in Umaria district, from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per person.