PDA

View Full Version : Jhurjhura tigress in Bandhavgarh is dead



Sabyasachi Patra
20-05-2010, 10:11 AM
Bandhavgarh Tigress dead

The Jhurjhura tigress in Bandhavgarh who had three small cubs is dead. It is reported that she was hit by a gypsy and died at around 9 am in the jhurjhura dam area. All the drivers and guides of the gypsies (11) that had gone in that route are being questioned.

Postmortem is being done on the body of the tigress now.

Official version is awaited.

The tigress was finding it difficult to feed her cubs in the rajbehera dam area, as by the time she used to go and fetch her small cubs, her grown up cubs from previous litter used to come and eat the kill. So since the last two weeks, she had left the rajbehera area and was staying in the jhurjhura dam area. There is good hiding place for her cubs in the caves in jhurjhura.

Personally, I have been photographing her for the past few years. It is heartbreaking to think that her three small cubs who are too small to hunt themselves are now orphaned.

Mrudul Godbole
20-05-2010, 10:20 AM
This is a heartbreaking news. Getting hit by a gypsy, is the worst thing that could happen. We are now facing the consequences of our actions. I remember photographing her last year. I hope the Forest Department learns a lesson from this.

Bibhav Behera
20-05-2010, 10:26 AM
This is extremely shocking news. This family was being monitored very closely and they had almost reached celebrity status. Even after such close monitoring, if this is the way things are handled, there is no way that we can ever save the tiger beyond a couple of years. A change in the laid back attitude and response to the urgency of the situation is imperative. A chargesheet should be made soon and the culprit be tried in a fast track court w/o bail.

God knows what will happen of the cubs. Without their mother, at this age it is difficult for them to survive on their own. :( :( :(

Personally I feel, the culprit should be put under a gypsy himself and run over.

Dipankar Mazumdar
20-05-2010, 10:49 AM
Dear ALL
What a shocking incident..!!!! This seems to be a pattern close on the heels of last years incident when Satyendra's Gypsy ran over a cub. The fact that she has cubs makes it doubly shocking.
The post mortem seems more like an alibi for removing the human angle and I am sure that what will arrive is that she was injured in a territorial fight and died of causes thereof.
This is how our country works,how one of our premier national parks work, God save the tigers , we really dont deserve them.
Dipankar

Sabyasachi Patra
20-05-2010, 11:13 AM
Dipankar,
I am not sure whether the culprit can be caught and punished. In the previous case involving Satyendra Tiwari who ran over the tiger cub last year, the local guides and drivers saved him by covering up the truth. At that time it was even said that the tiger cub was mentaly deranged etc etc. http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=800

Same thing will happen this time as people are not willing to tell the truth. Some are even claiming it as poisoning. I hope the postmortem is done as per the guidelines laid down by National Tiger Conservation Authority.

While we are focussed on deaths by poaching, the tiger deaths at the hands of tourists are happening at regular intervals.

In Ranthambhore, I saw a gypsy screech to a halt and hit the tail of the tigress. It was a near miss. http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3823

Frankly speaking, it appears that Dipankar is right. We perhaps don't derseve God's most majestic creation - The Tiger - to roam our forests.

Sabyasachi

Bibhav Behera
20-05-2010, 11:33 AM
Here is a news link on the issue. They are claiming that it is a fight and at the same time they say that there are no external injuries. The premise is grossly flawed in my opinion.


---------
A tigress on Wednesday died at Tala range of Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in Umaria district in eastern Madhya Pradesh.

"The tigress was around 30 months old and possibly died after sustaining some internal injuries in a fight with another tigress over territorial rights," Reserve Field Director C K Patil said on phone.

He ruled out the possibility of the tigress being hit by some tourists' jeep in the reserve.
The limping tigress was spotted by some tourists, he said adding it even roared at some tourists in the morning, he said.
Before the feline died it entered a water body in Tala range, Patil said.
He said there was no external injury mark on the tigress' body.
Patil said the post-mortem of tigress will be done as per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) tomorrow.
---------
http://www.zeenews.com/news627863.html

AB Apana
20-05-2010, 12:36 PM
Lots of conflicting opinions. Our naturalist in Bandhavgarh gave me yet another possibility, but I am waiting for the post-mortem to be completed and for a clearer (if that is ever possible in Bandhavgarh) picture to emerge.

Apana

Bibhav Behera
20-05-2010, 12:44 PM
Another news article on this....

NAGPUR: Tiger conservation took a hit on Tuesday when one death was reported inside the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, 475 kms from Nagpur.

This is the 18th tiger death in India since January and comes at a time when census readings are being studied to check if the tally of 1411 from the count four years ago has gone up or down. The new figure will be announced by the Wildlife Institute of India in October this year.

The incident took place at 10am in Zurzura in Tala Range of the reserve. There are conflicting claims not only about the reasons of death but also of the tiger's sex.

Some tourists from Nagpur told TOI that the tiger had died due to suffocation after its neck got entangled in a wire snare which may have been put by villagers to trap herbivores. Others claimed the tiger was hit by a tourist vehicle and died due to injuries.

Forest officials, however, rule out both the possibilities and are giving a completely different view.

CK Patil, field director & conservator of forests at Bandhavgarh, feels that the tiger – a male according to him — could have died in a territorial fight. He denied that it was injured and attacked tourists' vehicles.
Patil was also emphatic that the tiger did not have had wire snares on its neck.

Contradicting his boss' claims, JN Shukla, the Tala range forest officer (RFO), told TOI the dead animal was a three-year-old female and there were no external injury marks on its body. This clearly indicates that the tiger did not die in a territorial fight as is being claimed by Patil.

Taken from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Did-Bandhavgarh-tiger-choke-to-death/articleshow/5951666.cms

Shivang Mehta
20-05-2010, 12:55 PM
A sad demise of the legendary Bandhavgarh tigress... the news is shocking and the circumstances of the death as the news reports state are fishy and hard to believe.

The orphaned cubs need to be bread in captivity as it would not be wise to leave them in the wild at a tender age. Hope the forest department is on its act and taking required measures to deal with the situation.

regards,
Shivang
www.naturewanderers.com

Abhishek Jamalabad
20-05-2010, 02:17 PM
This is shocking and sad news... that too from one of the best managed parks in the country. :(. Wonder what will happen to the cubs...

Bibhav Behera
21-05-2010, 09:58 AM
The post-mortem, conducted on a tigress, killed at the Bandhavgarh National Park on Wednesday, suggests the big cat could have been a victim of an accident.
The tigress, aged about three years, died of internal haemorrhage caused by the impact from a vehicle. Veterinarians say the tigress could have been hit around 9.30 am.
Forest department officials have checked a vehicle of a jungle camp operated by Shyamendra Singh, son of state PWD Minister Nagendra Singh.

The article was taken from http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tigress-died-after-vehicle-hit-it/Article1-546330.aspx

Shivang Mehta
21-05-2010, 10:05 AM
Got this covered in NDTV prime time news yesterday where the forest department accepted the fact that the tigress was hit by a vehicle.

However as the news reports state that this a 30 month old tigress... the Jhurjhura female was apparently breeding her second litter. If that's the case her age should be around 40-45 months. There is still some ambiguity and the search for the female is still on as per my latest report from Bandhavgarh today morning.

Sabya - can you share the photo of the Jhurjhura female so that I can compare it with the markings of the dead tigress.

regards,
Shivang

Sabyasachi Patra
21-05-2010, 10:40 AM
Shivang,

You can see the markings of both its daughters in this image.
http://www.indiawilds.com/lightbox/index.php?pageId=100&id=31&start=16

The tigress here:
http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3

Sabyasachi

Shivang Mehta
21-05-2010, 10:46 AM
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=357976&id=1847785606

Thanks Sabya... the markings look the same. But how can she be a 30 month old tigress who has had 2 litters till now!

Sabya - please see the photo below

Bibhav Behera
21-05-2010, 11:19 AM
The markings look pretty similar, especially the 3 pronged stripe on the side of the head. :(
Experts may confirm.

Sabyasachi Patra
21-05-2010, 11:50 AM
Stripes don't lie.

Ideally, the photograph of the tigress should have been taken parallel to the camera. I have uploaded another image showing the side profile with tigress facing right. Check this image. It is nearly full profile except for the hind leg. It is sufficient to check all the stripes in the body, leg apart from the face.

The body stripes are even more distinctive. Compare it with that of the cubs.

How did they arrive at the age of 30 months? Is it mentioned officially?

Sabyasachi

Mrudul Godbole
21-05-2010, 12:02 PM
Thanks, Shivang and Sabyasachi for posting the images. The stripes are unique and as mentioned by Sabyasachi the body stripes are also matching. There is space between the stripes in the body and look distinct. So it is clear that it is the Jhurjhura female.

This is a very sad ending for her.

Shivang Mehta
21-05-2010, 01:54 PM
Hi all - here is the updated and confirmed news from bandhavgarh

the female is the jhurjhura female. FD is misrepresenting the facts that the age is 30 months. THe female died because of a forest dept vehicle that crushed the tiger because it went off roading in search of cubs. Sanjay Pandey is the driver and he is accepted the facts.

Neil Mehta
21-05-2010, 02:10 PM
I saw her and her new cubs eat on a stag in the second week of the month. Old litter female ate only after the cubs and the tigress was done. Later I saw them eat near the jhurjhura dam on 13 or 14TH may.

Indeed very sad to hear that she is no more.

V S Sankar
21-05-2010, 09:43 PM
The Hindu also reported the tiger to be around 30 months old.In the coming days we would come to know the real identity of the tiger or as you all are pointing out it to be the Jhurjhura female.

How to strike a balance between popularity for Tiger conservation and death of these wild beasts because of man-animal(Here Vehicle-Jhurjhura tiger) conflict.

As more and more people get interested in tigers and their survival,it is natural for them to long for a glimpse of the animal in its natural surroundings.So they start visiting tiger reserves.That means more number of vehicles for taking them around.

If less number of people visit these places, may be the deaths due to accidents would also be less.But one cannot restrict the numbers as we want more number of people to be concerned about tigers or for that matter any other wild animal conservation.

It is time for all wildlife enthusiasts to come out with a plan to reduce this particular aspect in the near future.

Bibhav Behera
21-05-2010, 10:17 PM
Bhopal, May 21 (IANS) A tigress which died in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh National Park Wednesday succumbed to internal haemorrhage, confirming apprehensions that it was hit by a vehicle, officials said Friday.
“The autopsy report of the tigress suggested death due to internal haemorrhage caused perhaps by being hit by a vehicle,” said Madhya Pradesh Chief Wildlife Warden R.S. Negi.

Veterinary expert A.B. Srivastava, under whose guidance the autopsy was performed, said: “The tigress had suffered multiple injuries probably after a vehicle hit.”

Officials of the park, located in Umaria district, were Wednesday informed about the tigress lying in an injured condition near a water source. However, the big cat which looked distressed died within a few minutes of the forest department team reaching the spot. Its cubs are now being looked after by the wildlife department.

“The post-mortem also revealed that the tigress was around eight years old, and not three years as presumed earlier,” he said.

Investigations are on to locate the vehicle which hit the big cat, Negi said. “The forest department has sought the help of the police and forensic team to locate the vehicle.”

Negi said eight tourist vehicles had entered the park Wednesday as per the gate entries and a forensic examination of the vehicles would be carried out.

Besides the tourist vehicles, the forest department’s vehicles that had entered the park would also be checked, since there are no eyewitnesses to the incident.

Meanwhile, a forest department team is keeping an eye on the tigress’s cubs.

The cubs are aged around 5 months and are being closely monitored and special care would be given to them, Negi said.

Last year, too, three cubs were shifted to an enclosure inside the park after their mother died.

This is the second incident of a tiger being killed in the reserve due to a vehicle- hit within a year. On April 24, 2009, a male tiger was hit by a tourist vehicle and died subsequently.

Taken from http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/bandhavgarh-tigress-died-due-to-vehicle-hit-say-officials_100367376.html

Bibhav Behera
22-05-2010, 11:04 AM
NAGPUR: In a new twist to the controversy over the death of a tigress in Bandhavgarh Reserve, TOI learns the incident occurred after a vehicle hit the wild cat. Sources confirmed that the vehicle that hit the tigress was allegedly owned by a resort run by PWD minister of MP, Nagendra Singh.

A close relative of the minister's son was in the vehicle when it inadvertently hit the tigress. Park officials have detained three vehicles. A tourist had told TOI that the death happened due to a collision with a vehicle. Naresh Kadyan, master trainer of Animal Welfare Board of India and a representative of International Organisation for Animal Protection in India, has issued notice to the chief wildlife warden of MP under section 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

He has also demanded the sacking of the minister. Kadyan claims that it was Singh's son who was in the vehicle that dashed against the tigress.

"Officials are trying to hush up the matter," he said from Delhi. "The minister's son and others have violated the law. Yet the police failed to lodge an FIR against them for violation of section 9, read with 51 of Wildlife Protection Act along with section 428-429 of IPC specifying criminal conspiracy against wild animals or any relevant legislations. The chief wildlife warden has failed to perform his duties."

This was taken from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/MP-ministers-kin-car-hit-tigress-in-Bandhavgarh/articleshow/5955969.cms

AB Apana
22-05-2010, 12:07 PM
The markings look very similar. Here is another news report:

http://www.kidsolo.com/tigress-killed-by-vehicle/1037/

Apana

AB Apana
22-05-2010, 12:54 PM
Curiouser and curiouser:

http://www.dailypioneer.com/257496/Bandhavgarh-tigress-death-case-still-unsolved-vehicle-yet-to-be-traced.html

Praveen Siddannavar
23-05-2010, 05:44 PM
This is really unfortunate, had heard so much on this tigress and her cubs. I hope the forest officials come up with a plan to save the cubs.

Sabyasachi Patra
25-05-2010, 01:19 PM
The situation remains grim for the cubs. Food is being kept for the cubs to eat and water is given through tankers. They are cubs too small to understand what has hit them.

The forest department has examined the vehicles and have released those. Two routes are closed for tourists. So 45 tourist vehicles now crowd in the other routes.

There is no official news confirming the identity of the culprit till date. There are too many inconsistencies in the forest department versions regarding the incident is concerned. Unconfirmed reports mention influential persons are involved and it suggests complicity of the forest department. No arrests have been made. Predictably, the entire handling of the incident shows the Forest Department in extremely poor light.

Let us look at the information released by the Field Director and Forest Department.

1) Initially, the forest department denied that the jhurjhura tigress was killed. The Field director was quoted as saying that a male tiger has been killed.

2) Then the Field Director said that the death is due to fighting with another tiger. It was an egregious blunder from the Field Director, as fighting with another tiger would have left behind deep wounds, unlike the present case where external wounds were not found on the body of the tigress.

3) Then it was said that the tigress died due to possible drowning or poisoning.

4) Then they said that the tigress is not the jhurjhura tigress but its daughter from its previous litter aged 30 months.

5) Finally, they realised that it is the Jhurjhura tigress. Next came the clarifications about age that she is 8 yrs and 10 yrs.

I am sure you would admit that these kind of inconsistencies can be due to two reasons: either due to incompetence or it was an attempt to cover up.

In case, it is true that a MP minister's son is the culprit, then it can explain the flip flop by the Field Director and the forest department. If this is true, then it would be difficult to nail the culprit and the accomplice(s) in the crime.

In case, the flip flop ie. the Field Director and the Forest Department changing their versions several times is due to incompetence, then definitely it is sad because the country's natural heritage is in the wrong hands. Forests serve as the lungs and the streams emanating out of it are our lifeline.

Many a civilisation has perished due to want of water. Do we leave our forests in the hands of incompetent people or people who are accused of their involvement in a heinous crime like killing an endangered species?

Now the million dollar question is who will investigate whom?

There has been demands of CBI inquiry, as it is suspected that there is involvement of a Ministers kin and high officials. It is a known fact that CBI inquiry cannot happen without the State Government asking for it or giving its consent. In few cases, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has given directions. So I am not hopeful about the CBI inquiry.

Our forests are in the concurrent list, however, rarely has the Central Government done anything without the State Governments support. However, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gets the report of tiger deaths and I am sure the Hon'ble Minister for MoEF Shri Jairam Ramesh would take due interest in this incident.

In a democracy the elected representatives and the officials cannot neglect the opinion of the public. I would also like to mention that last year, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, based on our petitions had changed the Field Director. Hence, I strongly suggest that people should write letters to him giving details about the incident and asking for justice to be done. Please ask for a speedy and transparent process of investigation to be followed and the culprits along with accomplices in the crime to be punished. Any lapses by the Forest department be investigated and responsibilities fixed.

Kindly address the letter to Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Chief Minister of MP
cm@mp.nic.in
cm@valbh.mp.nic.in

Kindly address similar letters to our Hon'ble Minister of Environment and Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh

Shri Jairam Ramesh
Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110 003
email: mosef@nic.in


CC: To Shri Rajesh Gopal
Member Secretary
National Tiger Conservation Authority
Bikaner House, Annexe - V
Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110011
Tele Fax: 011-23384428
email: dirpt-r@nic.in


CC: To The Secretary, MoEF,
Government of India,
Ministry of Environment & Forests,
Paryavaran Bhavan,
CGO Complex,
Lodi Road, ND-110003
email: envisect@nic.in

Members may also bring this sad incident to the notice of our Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Manmohan Singh. The addresss is as follows:

Dr Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
Room No. 148B,
South Block
New Delhi - 110001
Fax: 011-23016857
emails: manmohan@sansad.nic.in
pmosb@pmo.nic.in

You can send emails with a cc to me at sabyasachi.patra@indiawilds.com for further follow ups. If possible letters by post would also be good.

Other Actions:
President of India's grievance cell. :

You will get a reference number and will also be able to see the status of your complaint lodged by you. The link is as follows: http://helpline.rb.nic.in (http://helpline.rb.nic.in)
You will get a Unique Registration Number and can later on track it.

Government of India's Online Grievance Forum:
The link is : http://pgportal.gov.in (http://pgportal.gov.in)

Sabyasachi

Lakshminarayanan Nataraja
26-05-2010, 07:34 AM
It is now very vivid that the facts will not be brought on the table for there is involvement of politicians. And based on the proceedings so far, it is very clear that the FD is either corrupt or foolish or both.

Is it possible for us to make a joint representation as with India number matters?

Thanks for your attention.

Dipankar Mazumdar
26-05-2010, 12:00 PM
I have just returned from a Largely fruitless trip to bandhavgarh. The Sight of 45 Gypsies packed in BtoD and DtoB of TALA is enough to make any sane person throw up. Whether truth or coverup, the Blame is firmly on the Forest Departments Gypsey, which was on a highspeed night patrollling cum sightseeing trip of the Tala Zone. Who were these highprofile tourists, no one knows, but probably high profile enough to ensure that 2 Rangers and The park assistant director have been TERMINATED not suspended to put an effective lid on the matter.
The guides have been united in themselves, and the uniform theory from them is that the tigeress was badly hurt when first spotted and was somehow dragging herself to the nearest water body, where she was subsequently found dead. The Post mortem also seems to indicate that the impact was much before the actual time of death.

Regards
Dipankar

Ramesh Gopalswamy
26-05-2010, 07:31 PM
Hi Mr.Sabyasachi,

In a democracy the elected representatives and the officials cannot neglect the opinion of the public.


this is not happening in all cases.

thanks for the information.

Sabyasachi Patra
27-05-2010, 09:32 AM
In a democracy, the elected representatives and the officials cannot neglect public opinion. Ofcourse, they do ignore if only a handful of people are espousing a cause. If wildlife lovers, photographers, conservationists and the concerned individuals come together, then the authorities will be forced to respond. It is important that we understand our responsibilities as well as the push ourselves in taking action ie. raise our voice.

Sharing a news that appeared in The Hindu today.
Sabyasachi

"Tigress was killed by Reserve vehicle"

PRISCILLA JEBARAJ
Who killed the Bandhavgarh tigress? While wildlife officials have been blaming tourist vehicles, tourists and locals are now pointing the finger at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve's officials themselves.

Locals and tourists say it was an official Reserve vehicle that originally hit the eight-year-old lactating tigress as she was attempting to cross the road and reach her three cubs early on the morning of May 19.

Later, tourist vehicles spotted the injured tigress and informed the Reserve officials. They say the tigress finally died when she charged an official Reserve vehicle sent out to investigate. Two tourists say they were then harassed by officials to put the blame on their own driver.

On May 25, three Reserve officials, including an assistant director and two rangers, were suspended, according to National Tiger Conservation Authority director Rajesh Gopal. He refused to comment on who was responsible for the death, saying that an enquiry was being conducted.

COLLISION WITH VEHICLE

Earlier reports from wildlife department officials and authorities at the Reserve suggested several contradictory reasons for the death, including a territorial fight and a wire snare. Finally, after a post-mortem showed internal injuries caused by the impact of a hard, blunt object, the Reserve's field director said he suspected collision with a tourist vehicle. Rumours also suggested that a relative of a Madhya Pradesh minister was involved.

Jainandni Rathore and her husband Vikramaditya Singh of Jaipur were among the first tourists at the scene, accompanied by their experienced driver and a guide. When they arrived at the water hole at 6.10 a.m., they found two other tourist Gypsies already present. Together, they watched the tigress drooping near the water.

“She looked very angry and distressed…she seemed aggressive and was acting abnormally,” says Ms. Rathore. “So our driver suggested that we back off. Within seconds, she suddenly took off and came charging at us…we rushed away. I was really shook up and just wanted to get out of there, but the driver said we should stop and inform officials at the central point.”

The driver also warned off other tourist vehicles heading towards the site and then informed forest rangers, who closed the route. With permission, Ms. Rathore and her husband then left the park and returned to their hotel.

“Less than an hour after we reached the room, we were told two forest officials had come to meet us. We thought they may want to pacify us, but they were very aggressive,” she says.

The two officials were assistant director R.P. Pandey and range officer J.N. Shukla — both of whom have been suspended — who had come to get a statement.

“They tried to pressure us to say it was our driver's mistake. Why should I tell a lie when he is innocent? In fact, I am only alive because of my driver's quick thinking,” Ms. Rathore says. “They even threatened my husband and asked if he was driving the jeep. If we had been at fault, why would we take the trouble to come and report the tigress' condition to the authorities?”

Ms. Rathore says the officials repeatedly harassed them and came for their statement three or four times. However, when they went to complain to the director, they found their statement conveniently missing. In fact, a statement copy was only delivered to them the night before they left Bandhavgarh on May 24.

‘ANIMAL WAS ALREADY HIT'

Dhruv Singh — a Bandhavgarh resident representing a community organisation called Jan Sabha who was present at the post-mortem and witnessed parts of the investigation — says the tourists' information was only taken into account after a senior Bombay police officer in one of the other Gypsies submitted his statement.

Since the tigress had already been hit before the tourist vehicles arrived, and since only Reserve vehicles are allowed into the park before 6 a.m., investigations are now focussed around Reserve officials.

Reports from Bandhavgarh suggest that the tigress was hit around 4.30 a.m. by a Reserve vehicle carrying the third suspended official — ranger Lalit Pandey — accompanied by some outsiders in connection with a proposed lake digging project within the Reserve, which had been sanctioned by the district Collector.

When officials, including Mr. Lalit Pandey and Mr. Shukla, went to investigate after the tourists report around 7 a.m., their jeep was charged by the injured tigress. During the confrontation, they ran over the tigress and crashed into an elephant machan, Mr. Dhruv Singh says, quoting the Reserve vehicle's driver and pointing to the damaged vehicle and machan. The tigress finally died around 9.20 a.m.

The Reserve's director Mr. Patil was unavailable for comment, and an investigation is ongoing.

The link to the source article is here:
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article439223.ece

Sabyasachi Patra
27-05-2010, 09:54 AM
Sharing this article published in Hindustan Times
Sabyasachi

3 in dock over tigress death
Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, May 26, 2010
First Published: 22:59 IST(26/5/2010)
Last Updated: 23:00 IST(26/5/2010)

The Madhya Pradesh forest department is investigating whether officials allowed relatives of a state cabinet minister inside Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve late in the night, resulting in the accidental death of a tigress.

Forest officials found the dead tigress on May 21 after being alerted by tourists who saw the animal in pain. The post-mortem revealed that a fast-moving vehicle had hit her.

“Efforts are still on to trace the vehicle that hit the tigress,” said a senior state forest department official, refusing to comment on whether a minister’s relatives were present in the reserve, 481 km from Bhopal, that night. “All aspects are being investigated.”

The forest department has, however, suspended three officials. One allegedly accompanied the minister’s relatives. “We would like to know what one of the suspended officials was doing in Bandhavgarh, which was not under his jurisdiction,” said P.K. Sen, former director of Project Tiger.

It was alleged that the vehicle in which they were travelling accidentally hit the tigress, after which they fled. The carcass was found next morning.

State forest minister Sartaj Singh said the officials had been suspended for not cooperating with the investigation and for being absent on the day of the incident. In a report submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority on Wednesday, the state government said an assistant director and two range officers had been suspended for negligence.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has sought a report from the chief minister.
The source article can be found here:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/3-in-dock-over-tigress-death/Article1-548980.aspx

Ashvary Jain
27-05-2010, 01:22 PM
Hello everyone..

I m really sorry for so late reply here...This is a very sad incident...

However, I am surprised seeing so much wrong information flowing in the forum through these newspapers.. they arent that loyal the supposed to be...

Any of the movement in the three of the reserves, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench quickly flow inside my city being the centre place from all three of them...
As far as I got the info and grabbed the info from a senior wildlife photographer of my city; the tigress was hit be the gypsy.. and on investigation guides told that PWD minister son was there in the gypsy...

being minister involved in it, forest officials are trying hard to pull off the topic.. however after postmortem doctor had said that the injuries indicate that tigress was hit by the gypsy for more than one time...

The tigress being three years old is totally crap info... my fellow WL photographer (actually teacher) told that he himself is working on her from past 5 years..

About the cubs, as told in other posts, they are in pathetic situation.. Kept under special zone they are given meat but they arent eating much...


Everything is going in slow pace just because of the officials tried to put off the case due to minister's son involved it all issue...

Abhishek Jamalabad
27-05-2010, 02:27 PM
@Sabyasachi: Things seem to be getting a move on in the right direction. That's good news. Hope the following procedures run smoothly. All of us can surely get something done.

The part about the lake digging project sounds disturbing. Any more info on that?

Thank you very much for the regular updates, everyone.

AB Apana
28-05-2010, 10:17 AM
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_report-on-bandhavgarh-tigress-death-to-be-submitted-tomorrow_1388517http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_report-on-bandhavgarh-tigress-death-to-be-submitted-tomorrow_1388517

Apana

Mrudul Godbole
28-05-2010, 12:43 PM
Ashvary, If you read through the postings then you will realise that there is no confusion about facts. There is certain information available, but can’t mention as there is no direct evidence with us.

Apana,
Thanks for the link. I heard that the Field Director too has asked for a CBI enquiry.

I agree with Sabyasachi that we have to push the authorities. We have to lodge our protest in huge numbers.

Let us all write emails, letters with cc to Sabyasachi.

Tiger Ramesh
28-05-2010, 03:20 PM
It is very sad and shocking. From all the stuff what I read and heard, it looks like there is definitely a politician and few park officials involved. Looks like a powerful man was taken for a night safari in the park by the park officials and thats when their jeep hit the tiger.

We should also file a complaint on this matter with the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India to look into Forests, Wildlife and related matters. They have the powers to summon anyone and conduct an enquiry. I have taken some wildlife matters to them and I have been happy since there are no red tapes in CEC:

Member Secretary, Central Empowered Committee, II Floor, Chanakya Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021
Tel: +91-11-26884921, +91-11-26884923, +91-11-24101926
Fax: +91-11-24101925, Email: info@cecindia.org, website: www.cecindia.org

Many Bandhavgarh park officials behave like rogues. I was in Bandhavgarh two weeks back. We were watching the Bamera male feasting on a wild boar in a Nala. The view was not clear and we could catch only a few glimpses. A forest department vehicle came there with a former CCF (chief conservator of forest) as a guest. They shoo'd away our jeep and they were alone. Once our jeep moved, the forest officials started throwing something (may be small stones) at the tiger to bring him out so that their ex boss could photograph the tiger. This is too sad and ridiculous.

Later I understood from the local guides, that this is a regular practice followed by forest department whenever they have to impress their VIP guests. This VIP guest nonsense must stop.

Tiger Ramesh
28-05-2010, 03:42 PM
I gathered more info from my friend CR Sarath, who is the Chief Naturalist of Taj Safaris and a person whom I respect a lot for his immense contribution to tiger conservation and eco-tourism:

(http://sarathcr.blogspot.com/2010/05/tragic-death-of-tigress-in-bandhavgarh.html

I am reproducing what he has to say:

Quote:

I am currently in Bandhavgarh since two weeks and i could gather the following story from various sources; but first the sequence of events on the fateful morning of 19th May, when the Tigress died:

1. A vehicle from a Lodge, driven by one of the most mild-mannered and liked Naturalists in the Park, saw the Tigress at the Jhurjhura waterhole at about 6.10 am..and she charged at them! She looked injured..and the Naturalist promptly reported that to the Park authorities. In fact, I met him and his frightened guests and he told me about the encounter and asked us to avoid that area.

2. The area was promptly closed and the Park authorities went to investigate; they also got charged by the engraged Tigress and driver in his fright or whatever hit the Tigress while reversing the vehicle..the evidence is clear on the ground by a damaged machan and also the vehicle was damaged in several places.

3. When they approached the area again later..they found the Tigress dead.The time was 9.20 am.


What could have happened? Why was the Tigress charging at any vehicle? The post-mortem conducted on her the next morning revealed that the death was caused by injuries sustained 6-7 hours back..that means at around 2-3 am in the wee hours of the morning. No other vehicle can possibly enter the Park but a Forest Department (FD) vehicle. So it is clear that a speeding FD vehicle hit the Tiger and whoever did that hushed up the matter. No wonder the Tigress was aggressive and charging at any vehicle on sight. In fact, this particular Tigress is known for it's extremely non-agressive nature in the whole Park.


As expected, the blame game started..the Park officials caught hold of the last tourists who reported the incident in the first place..they wanted them to implicate the Naturalist-driver..the very man who probably saved their life by showing presence of mind and driving away! The officers intention was clear..they wanted to find a scape-goat! They harrased every other vehicle on that route..summoned them to the Park office in Umaria (30 kms away) repeatedly. But fortunately the Park Director is a upright and a strict officer..he smelt a rat..and on the 25th May ordered the suspension of 3 officers and ordered an independent enquiry. Let's hope the truth will come out.

I cannot believe that when the whole Nation is so worried about the dwindling numbers of this magnificent Big Cat, some officers who are responsible for it's very protection..in one of India's best known Tiger Reserves..can be so callous! We, all the wildlife lovers, have to all put immense pressure on the powers-to-be to catch hold of the guilty and give them exemplary punishment. There are rumours that a minister's son was taken inside the Park for a night drive..whatever the truth is and whatever it takes to bring it out..we have to act together and make an example out of this case. The culprits have to charged with the murder of four Tigers...and given the highest possible punishment.


The Forest Department should be forced to pull up it's socks. It is a department, at least at the Park level, with a almost feudal mind-set and works in a way which is not accountable and does fit into to rest of the democratic system. I have observed it closely for nearly 20 years now! For instance, in Kanha, we never see a FD vehicle drive slowly in the Park! They race down at 60-80 kmph and at the same time regularly penalise tourist vehicles which are supposed to be driving at 20 kmph for over-speeding! On several occasions, they 'banned' tourist vehicles without even hearing the other side of any incident..totally against the principles of 'natural justice'. Once, in Pench, i was driving a Range Officer and some researchers..he reprimanded me why i was driving like a 'tourist vehicle'! He meant i was driving too slow!!
I dread to think that we are entrusting them with the protection of our Tigers and Parks!

Another very alarming issue we need to address immediately is about the so called VIP's in the Park. These govt officers make a mockery of the Park rules.Their vehicles do not follow any Park rules of timings, speed and routes. They flout all these rules right in front of the bonafide international and national tourists who have paid full fees and have every right to enjoy the Park. For instance, after the tragic death of the Jhurjhura Tigress, the area where her Cubs were found is prohibited for any regular visitor..in fact, half the Park is closed for them. But the 'VIP' vehicles are merrily going into this area with families in tow, making such a mockery of the great pre-cautions taken by the Park authorities.

Bibhav Behera
28-05-2010, 08:13 PM
NEW DELHI: The death of a tigress in the Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh sanctuary after being hit by a vehicle could result in the reworking of the eco-tourism policies. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh has sought a report from chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. “The minister has taken a serious note of the matter and has asked chief minister Chouhan to probe the case thoroughly and send a report,” a ministry official said.

MP’s additional principle chief conservator of forest Dharmendra Negi is investigating the case even as various theories for the death of the 10-year-old feline on May 19 in the Tala Range of the reserve are doing the rounds. Reserve field director C K Patil has demanded a CID or CBI inquiry into the incident. “Patil has written to the state’s chief wildlife warden R S Negi with such a request,” the official said.

Soon after the incident, Mr Patil had said that “a tourist vehicle had hit the tigress after which she died. But it needs investigation”. According to reports from the tiger reserve, the tigress was hit by a vehicle belonging to the state’s PWD minister Nagendra Singh’s son.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) member-secretary Rajesh Gopal said the post-mortem report confirmed that the tigress had died due to the impact. The tigress was being tracked by a lot of tiger watchers as she was nursing three new cubs. Mr Gopal said: “The authorities in Bandhavgarh have taken action against three officials and suspended them.”

This has given added impetus to demands for regulating tourism in reserve parks. Wildlife activist Kahini Ghosh Mehta said: “In case the death is because of VIP movements inside the park, the case needs to be thoroughly investigated and the offenders should be punished severely.”

Environmentalist Mike Pandey said: “This is a tragic incident and needs to be thoroughly investigated. In case the cause of death is hit and run by a tourist vehicle, there can’t be a bigger reason for the government to enforce strict tourism-related regulations inside and outside the park.”

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Ramesh-roars-after-tigress-death-in-MP/articleshow/5983294.cms

Bibhav Behera
29-05-2010, 06:32 PM
A video of the Jhurjhura Tigress after her death.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzUJaTTA_zo&feature=player_embedded

Pratibha Radhakrishnan
01-06-2010, 08:17 PM
Dear Members & The Team India wilds,
Please read the report till the end, We seek Each IW members participation in fight for justice for the late angel ''Jhurjhuria Tigress''...

Field Visit to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve regarding recent tigress mortality Report of the Member Secretary, NTCA

As directed, the undersigned visited the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (MP) on 31st May and 1st June, 2010 to ascertain the factual status regarding the recent mortality of a tigress. The factual status/ observations based on interactions with the CCF and Field Director, staff and wildlife enthusiasts/tour operators, besides site visit are as below:

1. The tigress was a resident, breeding animal at ‘Jhurjhura’ (Tala Range) which forms part of the core/ critical tiger habitat.

2. The tigress, alongwith its 3 cubs (around 6 months old) has been intensively photographed/ seen/ monitored by the park management and visitors. The said tigress has also been captured by the research team from the Wildlife Institute of India in its data collection process using camera traps.

3. The tigress was last seen by visitors and photographed on 17-05-2010 during the forenoon, besides sighting by tourists in the evening till 5 PM (Jhurjhura dam)

4. On 18-05-2010 the tigress was not seen in its usual area (Jhurjhura dam).

5. The tigress was used to viewing by visitors and there are no reports of the animal showing any aggressive behavior.

6. The day-to-day record of vehicular entry (tourist vehicles) is maintained by the park management at the main entry point (Tala).

7. It is learnt that 3 Govt. vehicles (2 belonging to the park management and 1 outsourced by the CEO, Zila Panchayat, Umaria) entered the park in the late afternoon on 18-05-2010. Besides, 2 park vehicles also went inside for the routine patrolling works from Tala to Kallwah which did not pass through the tiger spot. These 2 vehicles did not return back to Tala and stayed at Kallwah.

8. Of the other 3 vehicles, one park vehicle returned back to Tala with the staff from the main gate around 9.30 PM on the same night.

9. The other 2 vehicles indicated at serial no. 7 included the vehicle of Range Officer, Magdhi and an outsourced vehicle used by the CEO, Zila Panchayat, Umaria, who was on an inspection visit relating to works being carried out under NREGA for water impounding at the Magdhi Range.

10. It is reliably learnt from various people that the above 2 vehicles indicated at serial no. 9 stayed beyond the permitted park timings and visited the in-situ enclosure at Baheraha (Magdhi Range) for viewing the tiger cubs housed in the same (which is not permitted). Further, the vehicles also went to the tigress spot at Tala and returned back via Bhadrashila barrier instead of the main gate, which is also a cause of suspicion.

There is a strong indication (emerging out of the detailed interaction with the local people and the Field Director) that the tigress was fatally hit by one of these vehicles. The occupants in both these vehicles included the following persons:
a) Shri Akshay Kumar Singh, CEO Zila Panchayat, Umaria
b) Lalit Kumar Pandey, Range Officer, Magdhi
c) Dr. K.K. Pandey, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Tala
d) A relative of Shri Akshay Kumar Singh and 3 children
e) Shri Man Singh, Driver of Range Officer, Magdhi
f) A driver of the vehicle used by the CEO, Umaria.
(It is also learnt that Dr. KK Pandey owns a lodge named ‘Tiger Heaven’ and wields considerable influence in the area. He was also present in the PM subsequently, and has provided his vehicle to the CEO, Umaria office on a contractual basis/ arrangement. He volunteered for bringing the post mortem report from Jabalpur, while using the same vehicle provided to the CEO, Zila Panchayat, Umaria.)

11. On 19.05.2010, the tigress was seen in an abnormal/ injured condition by several tourist vehicles and the park staff. The Field Director and the Deputy Director were away on tour to Bhopal during the period for participating in the State Wildlife Advisory Board and other meetings.
On learning about the condition of the tigress, the Field Director telephonically instructed for cordoning of the area.

12. The tigress was found dead in the Jhurjhura dam on 19.05.2010 at around 9.20 AM. The PM was carried out the next day after preserving the carcass in a deep freeze by a team of veterinary experts which included Dr. AB Shrivatava, Associate Professor, veterinary college, Jabalpur. The Field Director telephonically apprised the undersigned about the incident. Shri Satyendra Tiwari, wildlife enthusiast and tour operator was suggested from the NTCA to be present alongwith Dr. AB Shrivastava during the PM.

13. The PM has revealed that the tigress has succumbed on account of seviour impact by due to a hard/ blunt object. There were no signs of external injury or bullet wounds. There are enough arguments/ evidences which strongly indicate that the 2 vehicles carrying the CEO, Zila Panchayat
Umaria, Range Officer, Magdhi and others as indicated at serial no. 10 was involved in this accident.

14. Since then the State Forest Department has suspended the Asstt. Director, and two Range Officers (RO Magdhi and RO Tala). In this context, the following urgent actions are suggested:
I. Advising the State for an urgent CBI probe into the whole incident which would, interalia, address the related issues (violation of rules, corruption, nexus, if any, between the lower functionaries of the park and tourist operators etc.)

II. Advising the State for immediately housing the orphaned tiger cubs in an in-situ enclosure within the park, with the technical advice of the Wildlife Institute of India and the NTCA, with Central Assistance.
III. Advising the State for strict regulation of tourism in Tiger Reserves vis-ŕ vis the advisories issued by the MoEF for adhering to the carrying capacity.
IV. Urging the State Govt. to expedite the notification of buffer zones around the core areas of Tiger Reserves, and according them further statutory protection under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and placing the same under the unified control of respective Field Directors.
V. Advising the State to address the District Collectors to examine the corridor value of an area before granting permission for a change in its landuse vis-ŕ-vis the State level corridor connectivity identified in the recent all India Tiger estimation.
VI. Strengthening the hands of the Field Director (who is a dedicated, trained officer with good track record) by posting motivated Deputy Director, Assistant Director and Range Officers, besides filling up the frontline staff vacancies.

Date: 01.06.2010
By

Dr. Rajesh Gopal
Member Secretary
NTCA, Camp Bandhavgarh

http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Report_NTCA.pdf

Bibhav Behera
02-06-2010, 05:39 PM
Good to know that the faults have cleanly come out without much hush up.

Query: Why was Satyendra Tiwari called for the Post Mortem? Wasn't he the guy who mowed down a tiger cub last year?

Mrudul Godbole
02-06-2010, 05:50 PM
Hi Pratibha,

A CBI enquiry is a must in this case, since there has been a lot of coverups and different versions of the accident. It is essential to get the accused punished and take proper measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

I appreciate the effort taken by Mr. Rajesh Gopal for supoorting this cause. I support the cause totally.

Thanks,

Nikhilesh Mahakur
02-06-2010, 10:34 PM
Am sorry, I might get moderated -
But I'd let them on foot in tiger territory...
unfortunately am seriously convinced the tigers would not even touch them :(

Sabyasachi Patra
06-06-2010, 09:04 PM
I agree that only a CBI enquiry can uncover the truth. I wonder whether the Madhya Pradesh Government will agree to it.

I am sure, wildlifers will write to the authorities demanding for a CBI enquiry.

Sabyasachi

Rajiv Gautam
09-06-2010, 02:04 AM
I've been hearing rumors that most or all of the tourist routes in Bandhavgarh are closed? Is this true? Does the Forest Dept. update park status? I know two routes were closed after this tragedy. I plan on going there at the end of this week.

I am from MP and what puzzles me most is that the middle class there is ambivalent about the forests reserves in the state.

Pratibha Radhakrishnan
09-06-2010, 11:23 AM
Dear all,
The world is seeking justice for Tigress Jhurhura, Please back your voice by signing the petition...
We have to keep up the pressure if we want to bring a change in the present system and I am counting on you all to give us the support and sign the petition.

PLS SIGN THE PETITION AND PASS IT ON TO UR FRENDS....

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/justice_for_tigress_jhurjhura_2?widget_fb=1

Bibhav Behera
09-08-2010, 05:17 PM
Heard that one of the Jhurjhura cubs died. Can anyone confirm this?

Pratibha Radhakrishnan
10-08-2010, 01:20 PM
Yes is it Jhurjhuria's cub...Will post more details soon.

Himanshu Behera
24-08-2010, 05:41 PM
I need to know whether the jhurjhura tiger cubs are safe or they have also tasted the same faith just like their parents.

Pratibha Radhakrishnan
26-08-2010, 01:47 AM
‎(Chandrakant Patil) Field Director Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Umaria (MP) writes letter to NTCA Head Regarding jhurjhura cubs
Office of the Field Director, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Umaria (MP)

No./Mgmt./879 Umaria, dated 12th August 2010

To,
Dr. Rajesh Gopal,
Member Secretary,
National Tiger Conservation Authority,
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Govt. of India,
Bikaner House, Annexe No. 5
Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi 110 011

Sub: Information regarding Jhurjhura cubs.

Ref: Discussion in your office on 10th August, 2010 and instructions given on 12th August, 2010 on telephone.

***
Respected Sir,
Jhurjhura tigress was killed in an accident on 19-05-2010. During your visit to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on 31st May and 1st of June 2010, it was decided that the three orphaned cubs of Jhurjhura tigress should be kept in an enclosure at this spot itself because the cubs are familiar with the area.

This area is a hilly area and because of that the work of chainlink fence was quite difficult. This area is also a favorite spot of tigers because of the presence of large number of caves in the area.
Chainlink fencing of 3 kms. length was prepared to enclose about 45.208 ha. area. A machan was constructed near Jhurjhura talab and the cubs were given feed near this place. After the start of rainy season, the cubs were not visiting this place regularly since 27th July 2010. They were seen near a cave on the morning of 28th July 2010 by Mahaout Ramzan and Jannu alongwith beat guard Gohadi.

I was on leave from 30th July 2010 to 3rd August 2010 for my son's admission in Hyderabad. After that, I had attended a meeting on 4th and 5th August 2010 regarding Tiger Show in Madhya Pradesh in which Shri Dharmendra Shukla, APCCF (Wildlife), Field Director, Pench Tiger Reserve, Shri K. Naik and Field Director, Kanha Tiger Reserve Shri H.S. Negi were also present at Kisli. I returned to Umaria at 9:30 PM on 5th August 2010.

Since I was away from my head quarter for about an week, I was in my office on 6th August, 2010. In the night at about 8:30 PM, Range Officer Tala informed me that he has seen some bones within the enclosed area and he has a doubt that these are the bones of a tiger cub. Since it was already night, I instructed him to reach at the spot early in the next morning. I also reached the spot and gathered the information from the staff present there. Then I reached the place where the bones were seen by the Range Officer, Tala. At the spot, Asstt. Director, Tala Shri D.P. Shukla, Range Officer, Tala Shri R.K. Tripathi, Range Asstt. Tala Shri G.P. Namdeo and other staff and casual workers were present. It had rained in the evening and the soil was wet. Some of the bones along with a skull were scattered on the ground and some were covered with the mud. The staff searched the place for about 4 hours and collected all the pieces of bones. 18 nails of tiger cub were also found. Range Officer, Tala informed me about the movement of a male tiger and a female tiger from the earlier litter of Jhurjhura tigress near the fence. It was clear that one of the cub has died and probably it was killed by one of them. It was not clear whether the dead cub was a male or one of the two female cubs.

I had informed you in the night on the same day on telephone. After that, I visited the place in the night and a goat was tied there. Staff was watching the place and they heard some movement but could not see the cubs. In the morning it was observed that they had eaten the legs and other pieces of a goat previously given to them which was near by but they did not touch the new goat.

Next day, i.e. on 8th August 2010, the two cubs came to the spot again in the night at around 9:00 PM and they had eaten the goat which was tied in the earlier night. They were there at the spot till early morning. I visited the spot in the morning of 9th August 2010 at around 8:00 AM and I had seen the pugmarks of cubs in the nala nearby. After that I came to Umaria and went to Jabalpur and from there to Delhi to attend the workshop on 10th August 2010 organized by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. I visited your office on the same day and informed you regarding the developments.

After finishing my work in Delhi, I went to Bhopal on 11th August 2010 and apprised Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Madhya Pradesh regarding this issue. After that, I have come back to Umaria today and going to visit the place tonight.

I will inform you regarding further developments from time to time.

Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,

(Chandrakant Patil)
Field Director
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Umaria (MP)

Tiger Ramesh
26-08-2010, 10:41 AM
Field Director, Mr Patil's reply is vague.

What is he saying? That he and his team are incapable of protecting 3 cubs in a closed enclosure? That too on a subject that has attracted attention from far and wide. His reply sounds very casual. Looks like he has been traveling all around the country side attending to other chores.

How can they protect the whole park if they cannot protect them in an enclosure?

There is no fear of punishment. No senior IFS officer in India has been punished for negligence of duty. So, they live in this imaginary world and run their own fiefdoms.

Its high time that an officer like Chandrakant Patil is suspended and a detailed enquiry is conducted so that the message goes loud and clear to all other field directors and such things don't happen again.

God save the Tiger from the most notorious form of danger. Our Forest officers.

Himanshu Behera
26-08-2010, 01:03 PM
This is an awefull news to come across that the cubs also met the same fate :crying: as their parents did.The authorities should be shameful on not performing the much needed efforts on protecting the cubs. :thumbdown:

Sabyasachi Patra
28-08-2010, 08:49 PM
It is a sad state of affairs. A cub is presumably killed as some bones and nails are found. They don't know if it belongs to one of the three cubs of jhurjhura tigress or not. Also, one doesn't know if the tiger cub is poached, skinned and body left behind for scavengers. (Any lawyer will raise this kind of question).

The manner in which the field director has answered mentioning his absence in the station, he perhaps indicates that this incident could have been averted if he would have been in station? Or is it poor letter writing skills?

Unless the forest department officials are alert and have the requisite skills and the will power, we can safely assume that this is a lost cause. God save our tigers.

Sabyasachi

Pratibha Radhakrishnan
01-09-2010, 01:43 PM
The evidence of other two cubs survival has been captured in trap cameras four days ago, we assume its an authentic news since the pictures published is by an NGO-Tiger Guards of India from Bandavgarh'

Pls chk here

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=192195&id=136019809769294&fbid=143793792325229&ref=nf#!/album.php?aid=12762&id=120752154641270&comments&ref=notif&notif_t=photo_album_reply

Sabyasachi Patra
02-05-2011, 08:19 PM
It is been nearly a year since the tragic death of the Jhurjhura Tigress in Bandhavgarh and still guilty has not been brought to justice.

Today I received the following mail written to the President of India, and other concerned authorities asking for justice. I request everyone to write to the authorities and force them to take action. I am producing the text of the mail as is which is been sent by Richa Nara. We need more people to write such emails and letters.
Sabyasachi

Mail from Richa Nara:

From: Richa Nara <richieritz@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Subject: regarding the tragic slaying of the Jhurjhura Tigress ---one year passed and still no conviction :(
To: presidentofindia@rb.nic.in, cm@mp.nic.in, cm@valbh.mp.nic.in, mosef@nic.in, dirpt-r@nic.in, envisect@nic.in, manmohan@sansad.nic.in, pmosb@pmo.nic.in, info@cecindia.org
Cc: michael.vickers@homecall.co.uk, sabyasachi.patra@indiawilds.com


The President of India-copies to The Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sh Manmohan Singh, MoEF Jairam Ramesh, Chief Minister of M.P and Member Secretary, Central Empowered Committee

Smt. Pratibha Devising Patil, Her Excellency The President of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi-110-004, INDIA

Madam President

You are probaly aware that an year ago on 18 May 2010 at Bandhavgarh National Park a tigress known locally as Jhurjhura-the mother of three six month old cubs was mortally wounded by a vehicle driven into her and died the following morning from her wounds. Almost twelve months have elapsed since this tragedy ocurred and since then the killing of the tigress has been compounded by the death of one of her cubs.

Shortly after the tigress was killed the Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) visited Bandhavgarh to investigate and report on the incident to the Minister of Environment and Forests. This report contained certain recommendations including calling for an urgent CBI enquiry into the tragedy. However the State Government of Madhya Pradesh opted for an investigation by the CID and later the Special Task Force (STF) of the State police.

A number of prominent persons including a Forest Officer were in the vehicles that allegedly slammed into the tigress at night. For this reason I am very concerned that the present STF enquiry will be prolonged and the matter eventually dropped without a criminal charge being brought against the perpetrators of this heinous crime that has been carried out to one of India's National Animals. Below you will see an extract from the report prepared by the Member Secretary of the NTCA where he names the occupants of the two vehicles that stayed in the tiger reserve beyond the permitted park timings:-

“10. It is reliably learnt from various people that the above 2 vehicles indicated
at serial no. 9 stayed beyond the permitted park timings and visited the in-situ enclosure at Baheraha (Magdhi Range) for viewing the tiger cubs housed in the same (which is not permitted). Further, the vehicles also went to the tigress spot at Tala and returned back via Bhadrashila barrier instead of the main gate, which is also a cause of suspicion.

There is a strong indication (emerging out of the detailed interaction with the local people and the Field Director) that the tigress was fatally hit by one of these vehicles. The occupants in both these vehicles included the following persons:

a) Shri Akshay Kumar Singh,CEO Zila Panchayat,Umaria
b) Lalit Kumar Pandey, Range Officer, Magdhi
c) Dr.K.K.Pandey,Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,Tala
d) A relative of Shri Akshay Kumar Singh and 3 children
e) Shri Man Singh,Driver of Range Officer,Magdhi
f) A driver of the vehicle used by the CEO, Umaria.

(It is also learnt that Dr. KK Pandey owns a lodge named ‘Tiger Heaven’ and wields considerable influence in the area. He was also present in the PM subsequently, and has provided his vehicle to the CEO, Umaria office on a contractual basis/ arrangement. He volunteered for bringing the post mortem report from Jabalpur, while using the same vehicle provided to the CEO, Zila Panchayat, Umaria.)”
In the circumstances I would politely but urgently request you as Head of State to make enquiries and investigate why this matter is taking so long to reach a conclusion and the guilty persons have not as yet been apprehended and appeared before a court of law.

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Yours respectfully and sincerely
Richa Nara