Following the tragic deaths of 10 elephants at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, the state government has significantly increased compensation for families affected by wild animal attacks. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the compensation hike from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, which will also cover the families of two men recently killed by elephants in Umaria district.
The announcement came after forest minister Pradeep Ahirwar had already provided initial compensation of Rs 8 lakh to the victims’ families. The two deceased have been identified as Ramratan Yadav, 50, and Bhairav Kol, 35, both of whom were killed in separate incidents near the reserve.
While Yadav was killed in Devra village, which is bout 10 kms from BTR, when he went to answer nature’s call, Kol was killed at Brahe village in the BTR’s buffer zone. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Malu Sahu was injured just outside the BTR.
While the cause of the elephants’ deaths is still under investigation, early reports suggest they may not be linked to the herd involved in the recent attacks.
Umaria Divisional Forest Officer Vivek Singh said that anything conclusive about whether the elephants are part of the ill-fated herd of 10 would be established “after collection of data”.
However, forest officials said that while they are not suspected to be part of this herd, they could be part of another that came to the spot where the elephants died in search of millets, The Indian Express reports, citing sources.
“There was a herd of 25 elephants which had turned up two days ago in search of kodo millets and were chased away. They had crossed the road and began entering the core area. However, three of them may have been separated from the group and were involved in the deaths (of two people). All elephants are being tracked by a monitoring team,” a senior official of the BTR was quoted saying.
On October 29, four wild elephants were found dead in Sankhani and Bakeli under the Khalil range of the BTR in Umaria district, while four died on October 30 and two on October 31.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has suspended two senior officials of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for lapses after a high-level probe team submitted its reports in connection with the death of 10 elephants. BTR director Gaurav Choudhary and in-charge assistant conservator of forests Fateh Singh Ninama were placed under suspension.
The initial report doesn’t point to any pesticide (in the food consumed by the elephants) or the role of “another side”, the CM on Sunday said, adding the autopsy report will come in two or three days.
“The high-level team has submitted its report. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve director has been suspended for switching off his phone, not returning to work after leave and other reasons. ACF Fateh Singh Ninama has also been suspended,” the CM said.
Both have been suspended for showing laxity in performing their duties, he added.