Recent shocking reports of death of ten elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, have attracted a broad probe by the Union Government. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) independently affiliated to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set up a committee to investigate the matter. This comes as scientists conducting an autopsy reportedly propose that the elephants may have been killed through poisoning.
Background of the Incident
The death of four elephants on October 29, 2024, brought this to the attention of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve patrolling crew via the Salkhania beats of Pataur and Khiatuli range. Six other elephants were found to be unconscious or very ill throughout the investigation. However, with the help of field staff and local veterinary officers, which tried to give them medication and treatment, four of the sick elephants died on October 30, and the other two on October 31. Among the ten carcasses, only one was male, and the rest were females Six out of the ten elephants were juveniles or sub-adults while the other four were adults.
Preliminary Findings and Enquiry
Preliminary findings suggest that the elephants could have been poisoned; this could have been after feasting on a Kodo millet crop in the surrounding belt of the forest. Samples of viscera taken from post-mortem examinations have been forwarded to the IVRI situated at Izzatnagar, Bareilly, and FSL, Sagar for toxico-pthalogensis and histo-pathological investigation. Blood samples along with other samples have also been forwarded to State Wildlife Health Facility (SWFH) for further analysis.
Disaster Management and Control
In this regard to the incident the State Government of Madhya Pradesh has put measures in place to prevent future occurrences. Surveillance on other elephant populations in and around the Bandhavgarh reserve has been undertaken to protect them. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh are staying at Bandhavgarh and overseeing the investigation and actions.
Significance of the Enquiry
The investigation of the deaths of the elephants is critical since it seeks to determine the cause of the deaths and try to avoid similar incidences in the future. Information obtained from both toxicological and histo-pathological investigations will inform the cause of death and additionally guide the development of measures that can be extended wildlife conservation in the area. The participation of so many agencies and specialists shows that the problem is critical and that much attention will be paid to the protection and preservation of elephants.
A five-member state-level committee by MP Government
On the backdrop of the recent unfortunate incidence where ten elephants died in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the Madhya Pradesh government has now relished to act by constituting a five member State level committee to look into the matter on its own. Unlike most other committees, this one comprises individuals from civil society, scientists, and veterinarians to accomplish the enquiry in a social, scientific, and biological approach.
Composition of the Committee
The chief of the committee is the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) who has a rich exposure to the wild life conservation. The participation of civil society increases the number of the interested parties; thus, this case increases transparency and accountability in investigation. Having members from the branch of scientists and veterinarians, the committee brings at the table skills that allow for proper assessment and evaluation of the event from the perspective of wildlife health and wildlife ecological approaches.
Objectives and Mandate
The committee main task is to identify the cause of death of the elephants and to review the management and other factors that may have contributed to the death of the elephants. The function of the committee is to investigate carefully, to collect facts and to analyze various data gained from different sources such as post-mortem, toxicological examinations, and field investigations. Similarly, the committee is empowered to investigate poisoning as initial study shows it is possible. The samples of viscera and other samples which were taken during post-mortem examinations have been transferred to reference laboratories for a detailed examination. The committee will also look at cases of crop-raiding by elephants and determine the likely effect of human-wildlife conflict in the area.
Ensuring accountability and preventive measures
This formation points at the seriousness of the MP government to conserve wildlife and the cabinet’s readiness to fight wildlife criminality. The goal of the enquiry is to give the clear picture of the circumstances that led to the occurrence, to identify who is responsible and to suggest how such event can be prevented in the future. At the end of their deliberation the committee will among other things, come up with recommendations that will be forwarded to the government for implementation.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve: A Jewel of Madhya Pradesh
Situated in the central province of Madhya Pradesh the Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve is one of the most successful and famous wildlife and systematic Tiger reserves of India. This reserve is situated in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh; it is famous for a variety of plants and animals, and especially for population of Bengal tigers. Covering a geographical extent of 1536 square kilometres and the Bandhavgarh also has an ecological and cultural importance.
Historical and cultural background of the area
Apart from being a renowned wildlife sanctuary, Bandhavgarh has many pre-historic roots going back more than 2000 years. The old Bandhavgarh Fort, which is situated in the center of the hill in the reserve, is the source of the term "Bandhavgarh." The first part ‘bandhav’ means brother and ‘garh’ means fort and as per the mythology it was gifted by Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana. The fort is an archaeologist’s dream: ancient paintings, inscriptions and idols which form an impressive legacy of the area.
The reserve's historical significance is further amplified by the numerous rock paintings and carvings found within its boundaries. These artifacts, some of which date back to the pre-Mauryan period, offer valuable insights into the lives of the early inhabitants of the region.
Ecological Characteristics and Wildlife
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is also very rich in species diversity and is loaded with a great number of various plants and animals. The geophysical environment comprises uniformly distributed forests of deciduous trees, meadow and grasslands and marshy regions for wildlife. Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is most abundant in the upper storey of the forest, while there are also Saja, Dhobin and Salai to give the extra flavour to the region’s botanical wealth.
Probably the most known inhabitants of the reserve are the Bengal tigers(Panthera tigris tigris). Tiger spotting is easiest in Bandhavgarh, as this has one of the highest tiger densities anywhere in the India. A healthy tiger population of this reserve has been made possible due to proper conservation measures employed by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department with support from other wildlife oriented organizations.
Apart from the tiger, Bandhavgarh harbours several other comprehensive animal species – the pride of Madhya Pradesh. Common large mammals seen within the reserve include leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, and gaur / Indian bison. This is apart from other birds of prey like the crested serpent eagle, the Indian roller and the Malabar pied hornbill. Reptiles, amphibians as well as insects also form part of the reserve’s diverse ecosystem.
Management and Threats
Conservation of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is therefore a complex process, which includes conservation of habitats, conservation of wildlife, and the people living around this area. Despite the threats the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department through several other NGOs that are involved in the activities to help protect the reserve. The other practices included in these conservation efforts include; anti-poaching, early successes of habitat restoration, and constant patrols in tracking wildlife.
This park particularly, shares another one of the significant problems with its wild and domesticated counterparts: human-wildlife conflict. Because human settlements make a lot of camps near the reserve boundaries, people are very likely to have encounters with the abundant tigers. Others are just awareness creation, paying producers for loss of crops and stock, and demarcation of no-go areas around the reserve in order to avoid human encroachment.
Another key problem is subdivided to threats of fragmentation and deterioration of habitats. A number of threats are present for the deteriorations of ecological conditions in the reserve; they include encroachments, illegal logging and development of infrastructures. Efforts from individuals in the governmental, non-governmental organizations as well as public and private communities should be sought in order to overcome these challenges and conserve the natural resources of Bandhavgarh.
Tourism
Into tourism into Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has proved helpful in the conservation of the park, and its economic benefit to the nation. A record high of thousands of enthusiast people visit the reserve in a year, they come with the hope of sighting tigers and the varieties of the other animals found within the region. The responsive ecotourism measures, sustainable and responsible methods, which ultimately turn into funds for conservation projects.
Community participation also plays a very crucial role in the conservation plan for Bandhavgarh. People living close to these ecosystems are very involved in different conservation initiatives such as regeneration efforts, anti-sport hunting campaigns, and development of tourism business. Through this active participation it help conserve the natural resource since local residents feel they own the reserve and have a duty to protect it.