Karnataka forest official killed by elephant while inspecting forest fire

The Karnataka forest department has instructed its staff to exercise utmost caution while tackling forest fire after an elephant killed an officer in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, on Saturday.

The officer, S Manikandan, 45, director of the reserve, was killed in the DB Kuppe forest range when he was inspecting damage caused by a forest fire. He was cremated with full state honours in his home town Cumbum in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

There were reports that the team had ignored precautionary measures while venturing into the fire-hit part of the forest.

Apparently, they were not carrying any firearm when the incident took place. The elephants presence could not be detected because of thick smoke, which had enveloped the forest.

Rogue elephants are extremely hostile. Moreover, a wild animal becomes agitated when it gets stuck in a forest fire. One must be extremely careful while visiting fire-hit forests because animals can turn up from any direction to escape the fire. This was a highly unfortunate incident, a first-time in recent years that an IFS officer was killed such a way, remarked wildlife activist B Manjunath.

An official, close to minister for forests, environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai, said the government reviewed the situation in the wake of Saturdays incident.

All officers and staffers have been strictly asked to carry firearms when venturing into the forests. With the summer already setting in, incidents of forest fires will rise. Our staffers have to be on guard.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident lasted for a few seconds resulting in the tragedy. The forest officials, along with Manikandan, and a local RFO, were assessing the damage caused when the elephant attacked from behind. While the RFO managed to escape, Manikandan slipped and fell to the ground and the elephant killed him.

Though his staff rushed him to HD Kote Hospital, he could not make it.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Manikandan in their tweets, praising him for his work.

Manikandan is credited with working tirelessly to end the rising incidents of human-animal conflicts in many parts of Karnataka. A 2001 batch officer, he had worked in Bidar, Raichur, Ballari and Bengaluru. He had spent considerable time in Karnataka pursuing his academics.