Continuous tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh: Forest department’s challenges and conservation efforts under question
India is known worldwide as the “Tiger Nation“. Here, the tiger is not just an animal but is considered a symbol of strength, courage, and pride. India has the world’s largest population of tigers, and it is an important part of our natural heritage. But the sad truth is that despite all the conservation and protection plans, tiger deaths are increasing continuously.
Madhya Pradesh, often called the “Tiger State“, is once again in the news. The reason is – 36 tigers have died so far this year. This figure is not only worrying but also raises the question of why the plans of the Forest Department and the State Government are failing.
Recently, the body of a male tiger was found near the Tawa River in Narmadapuram district. The cause of his death was said to be hunting, and his right paw was confirmed to be missing. Officials believe that this is a clear case of hunting. Earlier, two more tigers died in the last fortnight—one died in territorial conflict and the other died due to electrocution from electric wires installed in the fields.
This entire incident has raised serious questions about forest officials, staff, and the conservation system.
Status of tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh has long been known for the largest population of tigers in India. It has several large national parks and sanctuaries, including Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, and Sanjay Tiger Reserves.
The tiger count had increased between 2018 and 2022, after which the state also got the status of Tiger State. But the continuous deaths have put a question mark on this conservation success.
The death toll of 36 tigers so far this year is the highest in India. Some of these deaths occurred due to natural causes, but in most cases, hunting, electric wires, poisoned feed, and departmental negligence have come to the fore.
Recent incidents
1. Death of a male tiger near the Tawa River
A male tiger was found dead on the banks of the Tawa River in Narmadapuram on Friday. The right paw was missing from his body. Satpura Tiger Reserve field director Rakhi Nanda confirmed that it was a case of poaching.
She said,
“This tiger was old and was found dead in revenue land. Poachers killed it and cut off its paw. A team has been formed to investigate the matter.”
2. Death due to territorial conflict
About 10 days ago, a tiger died in a fight in Satpura Reserve itself. The forest department confirmed evidence that the death was the result of territorial conflict. This is the instinct of tigers, but the question arises whether these conflicts can be identified and prevented in time?
3. Death due to electric shock
On August 19, another tiger died in the Sanjay Tiger Reserve. Investigation revealed that farmers were using electric wires to protect their crops from wild animals, and the same wires became the cause of the tiger’s death.
Forest department’s concern and warning
These deaths have shaken the forest department. On August 20, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Forest Force Chief V.N. Ambade wrote a letter to all regional directors and senior officials and issued a stern warning.
He said that in the last 20–25 days, 5–6 tigers and leopards have died. This is a direct sign of negligence.
Key points of Ambade’s letter:
Monitoring systems like M-strips and monsoon patrolling are not being implemented properly.
Information about deaths in Pench and Satpura Tiger Reserves reaches the department late, while the villagers come to know about it first.
Flaws in monitoring and patrolling are clearly visible.
If negligence continues, strict action will be taken.
Wildlife activists react
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey recently sent a notice to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the forest department over the death and secret burning of a tiger in Balaghat district.
He says:
“The place where the tigers died in Satpura is the same place where the beheading of tigers took place in 2023. This clearly shows that patrolling and monitoring are inadequate. I will file a petition in the High Court regarding these cases.”
Challenges of patrolling in the monsoon
Rakhee Nanda, field director of the Satpura Tiger Reserve, says that monitoring becomes extremely difficult during the monsoon.
Roads and trails are flooded.
Many areas become impossible to reach.
So the forest department has to rely more on foot patrolling.
“We are trying our best, but the conditions are challenging,” he said.
Why are so many deaths happening?
There are many reasons behind the death of tigers in Madhya Pradesh:
1. Hunting – smuggling of claws, skins, and other body parts is still going on.
2. Electric current – farmers lay electric wires to protect crops, in which tigers and other wildlife get trapped and die.
3. Territorial conflict – due to an increase in the number of tigers, there is a fight among them for possession of territory.
4. Negligence – M-strips, patrolling, and security plans remain limited to paper.
5. Human–wildlife conflict – The spread of settlements around forests brings tigers into confrontation with humans.
The big question of accountability
Whenever a tiger dies, the department talks of immediate investigation and forming a team. But is any action ever taken against those employees who are found negligent?
Are patrol reports checked regularly?
Is technology (drones, camera traps, GPS) being used properly?
Are villagers made conservation partners?
These questions remain unanswered.
Way forward: Solutions and suggestions
If Madhya Pradesh wants to retain its status as a “Tiger State“, strict steps will have to be taken immediately.
1. Strengthen patrolling and surveillance
Special strategies will have to be made for the monsoon.
Drone and satellite surveillance should be increased.
2. Participation of the local community
Villagers will have to be included in the responsibility of conservation.
If the villagers get the information about the death of the tiger first, then they can be made a part of the information system by taking advantage of this.
3. Legal action
Strict action will have to be taken against poachers and careless employees.
A speedy hearing will have to be ensured in the court.
4. Awareness campaign
Farmers will have to be made to understand that laying electric wires is dangerous not only for wildlife but also for them.
5. Special task force
A special task force should be formed in the Tiger Reserve only for tiger conservation.
Conclusion
The death toll of tigers in Madhya Pradesh, reaching 36 this year, is extremely serious. This is not only the failure of the forest department, but also the failure of the environmental security system of the entire state.
If concrete steps are not taken now, then in the coming years, the status of “Tiger State” will remain only in name. Tigers are not only the beauty of the forests, but are also important for ecological balance. It is the responsibility of the government and the forest department to give top priority to their protection. #tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh
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