NEW DELHI: A sub-adult tiger was tragically found dead late Friday night by a patrolling squad on the Bhopal-Jabalpur four-lane road which is approximately 40 kilometers from Bhopal. According to Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) L Krishnamurthy, the tiger was struck by an unidentified speeding vehicle. “Our patrolling squad found the tiger, which was dead on the spot. We are now reviewing CCTV footage from nearby toll booths to gather any clues about the vehicle involved,” the officer said.
The incident occurred in the Bineka area (Obedullaganj) near the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav earlier that day. Authorities suspect the tiger was hit by a vehicle suggesting that this could be a case of poaching while wildlife activists have raised concerns. They claim that the carcass may have been dragged and dumped by the roadside to mislead investigators.
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Many wildlife activists have criticized the situation and they want strong actions to control the tiger deaths. They noted that the state forest department still lacks a proper technical unit for investigations and that the conviction rate is very low.
The Ratapani region is home to around 54 tigers, but several have fallen victim to poaching attempts or accidents in recent years. Ratapani’s proximity to Bhopal presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The increasing movement of tigers into human-dominated areas, driven by limited prey and encroaching habitats, has led to growing instances of human-wildlife conflict.
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As tigers venture closer to urban settlements, there is a heightened risk of attacks on livestock and, in some cases, humans. This conflict not only threatens the safety of local communities but also the future of the tiger population. Recently, a Ratapani tiger was shot dead from close range by poachers and investigators are yet to complete their work.
To address these issues, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is focusing on strengthening community engagement and wildlife management strategies. This includes providing compensation for livestock losses and promoting coexistence initiatives to mitigate conflicts and protect both tigers and human communities.
