the goan I network
VALPOI
A two-member team constituted by the Centre began investigations into the four tiger deaths at Golavali-Sattari on Friday, even as two more locals were arrested in connection with the killing of the four critically endangered tigers.
Rajendra Garawad (AIG, NTCA, RO Bengaluru) and Ayye Malya, regional deputy director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) at Mumbai, arrived in the State and proceeded to conduct investigations at the site in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
The two officials investigated different locations at Golavali along with state forest officers Vikas Desai and RFO Sidhesh Naik, beginning with the first tiger found dead near the Siddheshwar cave.
The team then inspected the three different locations where carcasses of the tiger had been disposed off.
During discussions, the two-member team told the state forest officers that it was highly likely that the four tigers had consumed the poison since all four tigers were found dead near water bodies.
Later speaking to reporters, one official said it was heartbreaking to find four critically endangered tigers killed by poison.
“All efforts will be made to ascertain the cause of the tiger deaths as well as other details of the tigers available with the department. If required, help will be sought from the Karnataka Forest Department as part of investigations into this tragedy,” the official said.
In a related development, two more locals, Bero Pawane (22) and Jyotiba Pawane (25) were arrested late Thursday night in connection with the tiger deaths.
The three accused, Vitho Pawane, Mhalo Pawane and Bomo Pawane, who were earlier arrested were remanded to seven additional days in custody by the Valpoi JMFC, while the two other accused will be produced before the JMFC on Saturday morning.
The two-member team, which has been set up by the Deputy Inspector General of Forests of the National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA) Nishant Verma, has been directed to inquire into the tiger deaths and the response/action taken by the state forest authorities in the case.
Besides being instructed to probe the compliance of the SOP issued by the NTCA with regards to the tiger deaths and disposal of tiger carcasses, the team has also been instructed to suggest further legal course of action as per provision of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and as mandated under the SOP of NTCA dealing with tiger deaths.
The team has been directed to submit its report within seven days.
