Order to kill tigress Avni violated Wildlife Protection Act, probe report reveals

The order of Maharashtra’s top wildlife officer authorising a junior officer to permit capture or elimination of T-1 tigress was in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, the report of Centre’s panel probing T-1’s death has revealed.

The report, reviewed by DNA, said that in delegating powers under the WPA to the Chief Conservator of Forest, Yavatmal, to authorise capture of elimination of the tigress, section 5 (2) of the Act was violated. Chief Wildlife Warden AK Mishra had delegated authority to Chief Conservator of Forest, Yavatmal, PG Rahurkar, to authorise capture or killing of T-1.

T-1 or Avni was killed on the night of November 2 by Asghar Ali Khan, two months after she was declared a man-eater by the Maharashtra forest department.

As reported by DNA on Wednesday, the probe report also said that T-1 was darted and shot in haste by an inexperienced team, which included shooter Asghar Ali Khan. It also said that T-1 was shot without giving due time for the tranquiliser to immobilise her.

Importantly, the probe report also stated that the Asghar failed to produce any license for the possession of the gun used for the elimination of T-1 and moreover could not even remember the gun he used to kill T-1.

Under the WPA, a wildlife warden can delegate all or any of his powers and duties to a junior officer, except delegation of power to authorise killing of an animal that falls in Schedule I of the Act. Vulnerable, threatened and critically endangered species such as tigers, leopards, and elephants are accorded highest protection under Schedule 1 of the Act.

The probe panel examined orders issued by Mishra and CCF, Yavatmal, PG Rahurkar. On September 10, the CCF authorized professional hunter Shafath Ali Khan to capture or eliminate T-1. Then, a following a request from Khan to add more members to his team, the CCF authorized his son Asghar as well to capture or kill T-1.

Speaking to DNA, Mishra said that he did not think his orders were violative of the Wildlife Protection Act. “I have received the report and I am examining it. I do not think it is in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. We will take appropriate action on the report’s findings,” said Mishra.

The two-member probe panel of retired IFS officer OP Kaler and Jose Louies of the Wildlife Trust of India visited to the Pandharkawada forest in Yavatmal where T-1 was killed. They interacted with the five persons who were present when T-1 was killed. The interaction and interview was video graphed, their interviews were cross-examined and the panel also got written statements from the five persons.