Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A complaint has been filed with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) over the death of a full-grown tiger that fell into an uncovered deep well in the Kumbhpani buffer zone of the Pench Tiger Reserve. The incident occurred on May 7 and has sparked outrage, with allegations of gross negligence against senior forest officials.
Wildlife activist Capt. Brijesh Bhardwaj submitted the complaint, seeking legal action against the Field Director and Deputy Director of the reserve for failing to secure such hazardous wells, despite a tiger conservation project worth crores being in place.
The tiger died after falling into a deep, open well located on revenue land near Dawajhir village in Chhindwara district, just across the forested Ghurla-Tekri area. The site lies within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Pench, listed at Serial No. 64 in the official notification.
Bhardwaj said that such accidents are common in the Pench buffer zones due to unguarded wells, but no proactive steps have been taken by the forest administration. He claimed that the Field Director ignored the risk, failed to coordinate with the revenue department and neglected to ensure construction of protective boundary walls, thus violating core responsibilities under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
“This happened in a non-remote, accessible area. Locals report the department does not help during man-animal conflict incidents. The rescue was delayed and ineffective. This is a clear case of official negligence,” Bhardwaj told Free Press, warning that if action is not taken under relevant WLP Act sections and the tripartite MoU, he will seek legal remedy.
Tiger Death at Pench Tiger Reserve
Date of incident: May 7, 2024
Location:Dawajhir village, Chhindwara
Cause of Death: Fall into open, deep well without boundary wall
Complaint Filed To: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Allegations: Negligence by Field Director and Dy. Director
Legal Basis: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 & Tripartite MoU
Complainant: Capt. Brijesh Bhardwaj
