A sum of Rs one lakh each and citation was given to dependent members of 4 martyrs of the State’ Forest Department who lost their lives in extreme circumstances like encounter with the criminals during forest and wildlife protection work, attack of wild animals, fire accidents. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Abhay Kumar Patil gave them financial assistance and citation on the occasion of National Forest Martyrs Day held at the Forest Rest House Complex at Char Imli , Bhopal.
It may be noted that National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated every year on September 11 by the Forest Department. Financial assistance and citation are given to the forest personnel martyred during the last one year through ‘Close to My Heart’ campaign of Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation Society.
Samrat Singh Maravi, who was posted as a daily wage laborer and permanent worker in Kanha Tiger Reserve, died due to an elephant attack while on duty.
Sukhdev Paraste, a Contingency Fund worker in Kanha Tiger Reserve itself, was shot dead by left-wing extremists while on duty at Parsatola Samnapur Van Marg in Mukki area on March 23, 2022.
Ganesh Prasad Sanodiya, a forest guard in South Seoni division, died due to a recklessly driven sand dumper near Amagarh sandalwood godown.
Similarly, Mahavat Budhram Rautia, a permanent worker in Panna Tiger Reserve, died after being hit by an elephant.
Tributes paid to forest personnel martyrs
Tributes were paid by observing two-minute silence in honor of these 4 brave martyr forest personnel of the Forest Department. During this, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Conservation) C.K. Patil, Rajya Laghu Vanopaj Sangh Managing Director Pushkar Singh along with officers and employees were present.