Ten Elephants died in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Bhopal: In a devastating incident, ten elephants have died in just 48 hours in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, with preliminary investigations attributing their deaths to poisoning.

The forest department has initiated a case of poaching, suspecting that the elephants ingested toxic substances from pesticide-treated crops in the surrounding fields.

L. Krishnamurthy, the additional principal chief conservator of forests, confirmed that samples of local crops have been collected from a 5km radius of the site where the elephants collapsed.

Officials are particularly investigating the potential consumption of infected kodo millet, a common agricultural product in the region.

According to the official statement by the state forest department’s additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF-Wildlife) L Krishnamurthy, while ten elephants have died so far, the remaining three elephants of the 13-strong herd, are being continuously monitored in the jungles, where they are currently stated healthy and looking normal.

Meanwhile, autopsies of nine dead elephants have already been completed, while post-mortem examination of the tenth deceased jumbo will be performed on Friday.

The MP government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) and the state tiger strike force (STSF) of the forest department is probing the case from all possible angles.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded a full-fledged enquiry into the incident, while terming the death of the elephants as “absolutely shocking.”

Congress general secretary in-charge communications and former union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh said, “The news from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve about the deaths of the elephants is shocking. This wipes out some 10 percent of the elephant population in the reserve at one go. A full inquiry must take place immediately and preventive measures must be instituted,” the former environment minister said on X, tagging Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

The rapid loss of these majestic animals has sparked alarm among conservationists and local communities. Multiple teams have been established to probe the circumstances of the elephants’ deaths, focusing on both environmental factors and agricultural practice.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between wildlife and agricultural practices, raising questions about the use of pesticides and their impact on local ecosystems.