Madhya Pradesh Suspends Bandhavgarh Reserve Officials Following Death of 10 Elephants

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has suspended two senior officials from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. This decision follows a report by a high-level team investigating the deaths of 10 elephants in the park. The report did not indicate pesticide involvement or any external interference, according to the CM. Reserve director Gaurav Choudhary and assistant conservator of forest Fateh Singh Ninama face suspension due to alleged negligence.

The elephant deaths have garnered national attention, occurring within a span of 72 hours. "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," stated the CM. He emphasised that both officials were suspended for failing to perform their duties adequately.

Investigation and Findings

The CM described the elephant deaths as "very painful" and stressed that the government is taking the issue seriously. A team, including the forest minister and senior officials, was dispatched to investigate. Yadav mentioned that initial findings do not suggest pesticide presence in the elephants' food or any external involvement. "The post-mortem report of the elephants will come in two or three days," he noted.

Earlier discussions among officials pointed to possible toxicity and large amounts of kodo millets found in the elephants' stomachs. On Friday night, the CM convened an emergency meeting and sent a team led by MP forest junior minister Pradeep Ahirwar, additional chief secretary Ashok Baranwal, and head of Forest Force Aseem Shrivastava to conduct a thorough investigation at the reserve.

Timeline of Events

The investigation team returned to Bhopal on Sunday evening after completing their probe. The tragic events began on October 29 when four wild elephants were discovered dead in Sankhani and Bakeli under the Khalil range of Umaria district's reserve. Subsequently, four more died on October 30, followed by two on October 31.

Officials suspect that the elephants might have consumed a toxic substance leading to their deaths. Several other teams are also conducting investigations into these incidents to uncover further details.

The situation remains under close scrutiny as authorities await post-mortem results and continue their efforts to determine the exact cause behind these unfortunate deaths.