The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in a report submitted to the Chief Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has stated that Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) Mahavir died due to poaching.
The finding is contrary to the claims of the Forest Department that the tiger died due to multiple organ failures following a wound on his neck.
The NTCA has also blamed the Forest Department for the incident and issued instructions to initiate action against all concerned authorities, who have attempted to conceal the factors behind its death. In its report, the NTCA stated that prima facie analysis and investigation based on the pictures, documents, nature of injury sustained, tracking team investigations and independent interactions with the field staff revealed that the death of the tiger was due to injury sustained from a snare trap and, thus, it is a clear case of poaching.
The NTCA further stated that the concerned authorities have not proceeded with logical investigation.
“There have been attempts to conceal factors behind the death of the tiger, which is due to snaring.
This warrants serious action against all concerned,” the NTCA pointed out in the letter urging the State Government to initiate immediate action against those responsible.