Karnataka Minister Orders Probe into Death of 19 Peacocks in Tumakuru

Rapid Summary

• Environment Minister B. eshwar Khandre has ordered a probe into the death of 19 peacocks in Medigeshi village, madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district.
• The Chief Wildlife Warden was instructed to form a team headed by a Deputy Conservator of Forests to investigate the incident.A report is expected within five days.
• Initial media reports suggest pesticide consumption may have caused the deaths; investigations are ongoing to confirm whether pesticides were deliberately used or accidentally consumed from sprayed crops.
• wildlife fatalities under Schedules 1 and 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, will be investigated with immediate updates to relevant authorities.
• These deaths follow previous wildlife casualties in Karnataka:

– Five tigers (one mother and four cubs) were poisoned at M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary on June 26.
– Twenty monkey carcasses were dumped along Kandegala-Kodesoge Road near Bandipur Tiger Reserve buffer zone on july 2.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recurring wildlife fatalities in Karnataka highlight potential gaps in safeguarding protected species under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. While these incidents might be accidental or intentional poisoning due to human-animal conflict over agricultural lands or other resources, they underscore an urgent need for better monitoring systems and stricter enforcement measures for wildlife protection.

The government’s responsive action reflects acknowledgment of public concern regarding conservation efforts for India’s national bird and endangered species. However, continued incidents like these might undermine efforts to preserve biodiversity if systemic changes are not implemented proactively at grassroots levels-such as improving cooperation between farmers and forest departments or introducing lasting pest control methods that minimize risks to wildlife.

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