Shocked by 82 tiger deaths in 5.5 yrs; Min. Eshwar Khandre orders 10-day report on causes, poaching
Bengaluru, Jul 1 (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday directed officials to submit a comprehensive report within 10 days on tiger mortality across the state over the last five-and-a-half years.
The directive follows his shock over media reports claiming the death of 82 tigers in Karnataka over the past five-and-a-half years.
Khandre has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to investigate each death specifying how many were due to natural causes, unnatural circumstances and what were the reasons behind it.
The Minister has also wanted to know if any investigation was conducted and a report was received in cases of unnatural death of tigers.
"Khandre has also asked the officials to report if any of these tigers were mutilated after death for body parts such as claws and canines and if any action was taken against the staff and officials in case of negligence?," the Minister's office said, in a statement.
He also sought information on the number of people arrested and convicted in connection with tiger killing and poaching cases so far.
In addition, the Minister asked for details on ongoing investigations related to tiger killings and the reasons for the delay.
Officials concerned have been given 10 days to submit a comprehensive report containing all the details.
Following reports about the alleged killing of a leopard in the Ramapura-Martalli border of Cowdalli range of the Chamarajanagara district last month, the Minister has ordered an investigation into the incident, which will be headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
The decision was taken following reports suggesting that the leopard died in the MM Hills jurisdiction just weeks before the killing of a tigress and her four cubs.
"It is being alleged that the leopard's legs were amputated after death and if it is confirmed, the minister has instructed the official concerned to take action against those officers and staff responsible for this and submit a report within seven days," he added.
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Man murdered over decade-old personal dispute, accused arrested
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): A 49-year-old man was hacked to death with a machete in this district, allegedly over a personal dispute dating back nearly a decade, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Basappa Hosamani, a resident of Sadoni village, they said.
The accused, Irayya Sangayya Mathapati (32), has been arrested in connection with the murder, police said.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Monday evening in Hoolikatti village of Savadatti taluk.
The crime is linked to an incident that took place about ten years ago, when Hosamani allegedly eloped with the accused's mother and went to Kolhapur in Maharashtra. At the time, accused Mathapati was 18-years-old.
Police said Hosamani had recently returned to the village for some work after leaving the woman in Kolhapur.
Investigators believe the accused, who had been nursing a long-standing grudge over the issue, attacked Hosamani with a machete, inflicting multiple fatal injuries.
After the incident, the accused allegedly informed the police himself and remained at the scene until officers arrived, they said.
A case of murder has been registered at the Savadatti police station, and further investigation is underway.
