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Issuing transfer orders, the Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday posted Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife, VM Ambade, on deputation as the MD of the MP State Forest Development Corporation.
Ambade has been replaced by Shubhranjan Sen, who until now had served as PCCF—Finance and Budget. The orders come less than a month after 10 wild elephants died at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) between October 29 and 31.
An elephant calf also died under treatment at the Tala Centre of the reserve on November 10.Speaking in the aftermath of the tragedy, forest officials said that the elephants had died after grazing on contaminated Kodo millet.Researchers say that Kodo harvested in damp conditions can develop Kita (fungus) infestation, making it inappropriate for human and animal consumption due to the presence of mycotoxins.
Though the elephant deaths are still being investigated, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from state forest and wildlife officials, as well as the Centre, for what it claims is a violation of Forest Conservation and Environmental Protection laws. The NGT has set the deadline for the second week of December.
