TigerDeaths – High Court Seeks Report on Bandhavgarh Fatalities
TigerDeaths – The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stepped in following a sharp rise in tiger deaths, particularly within the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, prompting closer scrutiny of forest management and wildlife protection measures.
In a hearing held on Wednesday, the court directed the Field Director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) to submit a detailed status report outlining the circumstances behind recent tiger fatalities. The court also sought information on steps taken in cases where the deaths were found to be unnatural.
Court Responds to Growing Concerns
The order was passed by a division bench of the High Court at Jabalpur comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Bhopal-based wildlife and RTI activist Ajay Dubey, who raised alarm over the pattern of tiger deaths in the state.
In its directive, the court asked the reserve’s Field Director to clarify what actions have been initiated against individuals found responsible for any unlawful killing of tigers. The report must also include updates on prosecution measures in cases involving human interference.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on February 25.
Data Highlights Rising Mortality
Figures presented before the court point to a troubling trend. According to data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), 27 tiger deaths were recorded nationwide between January 1 and February 8, 2026. Of these, ten occurred in Madhya Pradesh, accounting for 37 percent of the national total during that period.
Madhya Pradesh currently has the highest tiger population in India, with 785 big cats recorded in the last census.
Within the state, four of the ten deaths reported between January 7 and February 2, 2026, were from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The fatalities occurred on January 7, January 8, January 16 and January 20. In addition, two tigers — a male and a female — were discovered dead on February 2 in Karpa village of Shahdol district, located roughly five to ten kilometres from the reserve boundary.
Bandhavgarh, spread across Umaria and Katni districts, is known for having one of the highest tiger densities in central India.
Allegations of Poaching and Negligence
During the proceedings, senior advocate Aditya Sanghi, appearing for the petitioner, presented figures showing that 54 tiger deaths were recorded in Madhya Pradesh in 2025 — the highest annual mortality since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. He argued that the ten deaths reported in less than six weeks of 2026 indicate an urgent conservation crisis.
The petitioner contended that organised poaching and electrocution are significant threats in and around Bandhavgarh. It was alleged that some tiger deaths have been attributed to territorial fights to downplay possible illegal activities.
The High Court, in its brief order, referred to a chart submitted by the petitioner detailing the reported causes of the deaths. The bench observed that certain cases involved unnatural circumstances, including human intervention.
Special Investigation Team Formed
Earlier, on January 19, 2026, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to examine the recurring deaths of tigers and leopards in the Bandhavgarh landscape. The team was formed by the state’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, V.N. Ambade.
The SIT is led by the Conservator of Forests for the Shahdol Region and includes members from the State Tiger Strike Force, the Divisional Forest Officer of Anuppur, and Katni-based advocate and wildlife conservationist Manjula Srivastava.
Forest authorities have maintained that some tiger deaths can occur naturally, especially in areas with high tiger density where territorial conflicts are common. Wildlife experts acknowledge that as populations grow, clashes between dominant males can result in fatalities. However, they also stress that any indication of poaching or human involvement must be investigated thoroughly and transparently.
With judicial oversight now in place, the upcoming status report is expected to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the recent deaths and the measures being taken to safeguard one of India’s most significant tiger habitats.