Action sought against Forest Department staff in Thalavadi Hills

Farmers in the Thalavadi Hills have urged the Forest Department to take action against the Range Forest Officer of the Hasanur Squad, alleging that his actions led to the death of a protected wild animal.

In a petition to the Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), former Bhavanisagar MLA P.L. Sundaram alleged that on December 4, a squad led by Range Forest Officer C. Sivakumar apprehended an individual along with three wild boars in the Thalavadi Forest Range. Instead of processing the case at the nearest range office, the officer took the individual and the animals to the Hasanur headquarters, deviating from standard procedure.

Villagers from Neithalapuram, Mudiyanur, and nearby settlements met the STR Deputy Director and sought the immediate release of the wild boars, pointing out that seized wildlife must be kept for the shortest time, handled with minimum stress, and released without delay where permissible.

Despite repeated appeals, the animals were allegedly kept in custody for an unnecessarily long period under stressful, unsuitable conditions, without adequate care, he alleged. This prolonged confinement reportedly led to the death of one wild boar, while the condition of the remaining two is unknown.

Concerns were also raised about alleged attempts to influence the apprehended individual and the resulting erosion of trust between forest authorities and local communities.

The petition sought the officer’s immediate suspension and a Departmental inquiry and strict enforcement of wildlife-handling protocols to prevent such incidents.