Home / Environment / Protected Turtle Carcass Burned: Forest DFO Faces Inquiry
Protected Turtle Carcass Burned: Forest DFO Faces Inquiry
18 Oct
Summary
- Turtle carcass incinerated without autopsy or case registration.
- DFO Bharat Kumar DK faces explanation demand from CCF P P Singh.
- Pollution of water body with sewage threatens aquatic wildlife.
Bareilly zone chief conservator of forests, P P Singh, has demanded an explanation from Pilibhit forest and wildlife division DFO Bharat Kumar DK. This action follows the incineration of a protected Indian flapshell turtle's carcass without a mandatory autopsy or departmental case registration. The CCF stated that the handling of the Schedule I species' remains violated established protocols.
The crushed carcass was discovered on the Pilibhit-Tanakpur Road. Forest officials failed to conduct the required post-mortem examination or register a departmental case, which are mandatory procedures for species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Furthermore, the CCF directed the DFO to initiate a survey of the local water body. Steps are to be taken to prevent household wastewater and sewage discharge into the nearly one-hectare water body, as this pollution poses a threat to protected aquatic wildlife. The issue of pollution and alleged encroachments will be addressed with the district administration.
