Tiger Found Dead in Madhya Pradesh, Poaching Feared

Speedy Summary:

• A tiger was found drowned in the backwaters of Tawa river in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, near Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR), with a missing paw. Officials suspect poaching.
• STR Field Director Rakhi Nanda stated that preliminary inquiry suggests the tiger may have been trapped in a snare.
• The carcass was discovered by a motor patrolling team on August 22, 2025. Post-mortem was conducted as per NTCA guidelines; further investigation is ongoing.
• Notable recent incidents include:

– A 12-year-old tiger’s death attributed to territorial conflict on August 12 near Lagda beat camp in STR’s core area.
– A tiger died from electrocution at Sanjay Tiger Reserve on August 20.
– Allegations surfaced of improper cremation of another dead tiger without documentation in Balaghat district’s Sonewani Wildlife Sanctuary on July 27, leading to suspensions and cases against several forest officials.

• Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vijay Kumar Ambade flagged concerns over lapses in wildlife security and urged prioritization of protection efforts amid increased deaths during monsoon season.
• Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey criticized lack of proactive measures and surveillance.

indian Opinion Analysis:

The sequence of incidents involving tiger deaths highlights systemic challenges within wildlife conservation efforts across Madhya Pradesh. Whether caused by poaching, territorial conflicts, or other factors like electrocution, thes events point to vulnerabilities within surveillance mechanisms such as M-STrIPES and insufficient patrolling during low-tourist seasons like the monsoon period.

While forest officials performed their duties promptly after discovering carcasses (including adherence to NTCA post-mortem protocols), cases such as Balaghat underscore troubling lapses-burning an undocumented body signals neglect toward essential investigatory processes critical for preserving India’s dwindling big cat population.

With five or six similar events reported within less than a month cited by PCCF Vijay Kumar Ambade himself-isolation-detection intel’s gaps demand focused attention urgently beyond reactive administrative measures remain limited steps expandable safety further eco-sensitive zones reconcile departmental accountability strive preservation India’s flagship wildlife species globally crucial sites.”

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