Sun Nov 03 18:02:40 UTC 2024: ## Madhya Pradesh CM Suspends Forest Officials Over Elephant Deaths in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

**Bhopal, November 3, 2024:** Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has suspended two senior forest officials in connection with the deaths of 10 elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) this week. The suspensions follow a high-level meeting held by the CM with officials on Sunday.

Forest Conservator and BTR field director Gaurav Chaudhary, an Indian Forest Services officer, was suspended for failing to return from leave and remaining unavailable despite being informed of the situation. Assistant Forest Conservator and Deputy Forest Officer, Panpatha, BTR, Fateh Singh Ninama, was also suspended for inadequate leadership and delegating most of the action to subordinates.

The deaths occurred between October 29th and November 1st, with four elephants initially found dead and six others succumbing to their injuries over the next two days. Preliminary investigations suspect that the elephants consumed toxic kodo millet, but further analysis is pending. Samples have been sent to the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health in Jabalpur for testing.

CM Yadav stated that a three-member team sent to the reserve found no evidence of pesticide use on the crops or involvement of third parties. He also announced an increase in financial assistance for families of those killed by elephants in the reserve, raising the compensation from ₹8 lakh to ₹25 lakh.

To address the elephant management issue, the CM announced the formation of a task force to develop a long-term plan, including the implementation of best practices from other states. The task force will study elephant management strategies in states like Karnataka, Kerala, and Assam.

In addition, the Forest Department has been instructed to install solar fencing to protect crops in the buffer and plain areas, aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict.

The CM’s actions come after a team, including the State Forest Minister and senior bureaucrats, visited the tiger reserve on Saturday to assess the situation.

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