Ramalinga Reddy seeks report on tiger and elephant deaths in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Bengaluru: Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy has requested a comprehensive report on the recent deaths of a tiger and an elephant in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The Minister has written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to receive a detailed action-taken report within a week, in order to determine the causes of the deaths and investigate if there were any failures in duty by forest officials.

The Minister expressed concern over the incidents occurring in the reserve's remote forest areas and emphasized the need for zero tolerance towards negligence in wildlife protection. He directed that Deputy Conservators of Forests and Assistant Conservators of Forests should personally visit their respective forest areas, enhance patrolling, monitor performance, and conduct regular anti-poaching activities.

The Minister stressed that any lapses in patrolling should be identified and strict disciplinary action taken against officials found negligent.