Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre Friday said that strict action would be taken against suspects responsible for the deaths of five tigers at Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Chamarajanagar district.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the forest where a tigress and her four cubs were found dead in a case of suspected poisoning, Khandre said that the suspects had even attempted to burn the carcasses.
“Officials and experts who have arrived for the investigation have expressed suspicion that the tigers died due to poisoning. This is a crime, and strict action will be taken against those responsible for this heinous act,” the forest minister said.
“The state is ranked second in the number of tigers because the state government has taken all necessary steps for wildlife conservation. But the death of five tigers in a single day is a very painful and heartbreaking incident. This incident has caused great pain,” he added.
Referring to the high-level investigation ordered by him into the tiger deaths on Thursday, the minister said, “The order has been given. Representatives of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have also arrived here. Wildlife experts and witnesses have also arrived. The post-mortem examination has been conducted as per the rules and the bodies have been cremated.”
Khandre further said that “there are reports that the outsourced frontline forest staff were not being paid on time. This will also be investigated and action will be taken to pay the frontline staff on time.”
The minister warned that action will be taken against forest department officials if the investigation were to reveal negligence on their part.
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The tiger deaths were discovered by forest patrol staff during routine monitoring of the reserve forest area. Initial investigations suggested that the big cats died from consuming meat laced with toxic substances.
The forest minister has directed the principal chief conservator of forests to conduct a thorough inquiry soon after the tigers were found dead and asked him to submit the report within three days.