The director of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand has been sacked for issuing shoot-at-sight orders against poachers in its critical tiger habitat zone, PTI reported on Sunday. Chief Wildlife Warden DVS Khati said PM Dhakate had not been authorised to issue such orders to the Reserve’s employees.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy said Dhakate would be replaced by Dheeraj Pandey. The orders, first reported earlier this week, were issued on the grounds of “self-protection against poachers carrying arms,” and increased protection for the animals, Dhakate had said.
The orders also followed the Environment Ministry’s recommendation that the British Broadcasting Corporation’s South Asia correspondent be blacklisted for making a documentary that highlights the government’s aggressive policy in Kaziranga National Park to protect endangered rhinos from poachers.
The Uttarakhand forest department’s data said 112 tigers had died between November 2000 and November 2016, including six poaching deaths. Tiger census data recorded in 2015 indicates that Uttarakhand has the second highest tiger population in the country after Karnataka.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!