In Video, Forest Officer Seen Feeding Snacks To Wild Animal In MP Reserve, Suspended
The Bollywood popular song ‘Tum bin Jaun Kahan’ of 1969 blockbuster “Pyar Ka Mausam” was heard playing in the background of the 22-second clip: Reports
BHOPAL: A viral video captured a forest officer posted in Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR) in Madhya Pradesh feeding a sambal deer ‘poha’, a quintessential snack of MP prepared from flattened rice, leading to his suspension for ‘displaying inappropriate behaviour with a wild animal’.
In-charge of Bori range in the STR Vinod Verma was seen in the video sitting with a plate of ‘poha’ under a tree inside the Chuna forest range and feeding the sambar deer, standing close to him, the snack.
He was then seen caressing the adult wild animal affectionately.
The Bollywood popular song ‘Tum bin Jaun Kahan’ of 1969 blockbuster “Pyar Ka Mausam” was heard playing in the background of the 22-second clip.
The forest officer had reportedly rescued the wild animal recently.
Environmental activist Ajey Dubey took strong exception to the conduct of the forest officer after the video went viral, calling it violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Such interactions violate the basic principles of wildlife management, he said and added that wild animals habituated to humans are more likely to stray into villages in search of food, exposing them to accidents, poaching and conflict.
He demanded action against the forest officer.
Following this, the forest officer was placed under suspension by the STR field director Rakesh Nanda for ‘displaying inappropriate behaviour towards a wild animal (a sambar deer)’.
In the suspension order issued late on Thursday night, the STR field director described the forest officer’s conduct as ‘gross negligence and insensitivity’ in the discharge of his official duties, saying that it amounted to violation of Rule 3 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965.
Hailing the action taken against the forest officer, the environmental activist hoped that it will send a message to the entire department that there will be zero tolerance for negligence or violation of wildlife norms by those entrusted with protecting forests and wildlife.
