Accomplished Forest Watcher Raju B Dies But No One Cries

Raju B, an accomplished Forest watcher of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) was recently trampled to death by a wild elephant on 08 February. However, there was no outcry over the development wherein the innocent Forest Department employee had to sacrifice his life while discharging his due duties in protecting the forests and wildlife in the terrain.


Hue and cry incidents galore: Almost throughout the year you keep learning about the never-ending man and animal conflicts in the areas adjoining the green cover. It is also the same situation when it comes to villagers becoming victims due to the rage of wildlife. Whenever a person becomes prey to the raged pachyderm or Tiger hue and cry is let loose in the surrounding areas taking the Forest Department officials for a ride. The Department officials are gheraoed, abuses hurled, and compensation demanded for failing to protect the lives and property of the citizens.


No one to cry for Forest Staff dying on duty: On the other hand, whenever Forest Department staff succumb while discharging their duty of protecting the wildlife and forest terrain the empathy of the public and society in general goes missing in a big way. Most of the time society's approach to the issue is dismal, hinting at no emotional connection with the martyred soul.


Rs 30 Lakhs compensation: The state government issued an order on 09-08-2018 mentioning the quantum of monetary compensation allocated to the Forest Department employees. According to the same the Forest Protector, Forest Observer/Watcher, Deputy Range Officer and Range Officer are entitled to financial aid of Rs 30 Lakhs, for death while on duty; Rs 10 Lakhs for permanent disability and Rs Two Lakhs for serious injuries.


Rs One Crore for KSRTC and BMTC Employees families: Thanks to V Anbukumar, Managing Director KSRTC, the state-owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) have been providing Rs One Crore to the family of employees deceased while on duty. Both organizations have entered into a pact with private insurance companies and nationalized and private banks. If a state public sector company could find ways to be a hefty sum as compensation, what is lacking the Forest Department in replicating the same for its staff braving day and night in discharging their duties.


A series of exemplary works: Raju B, the martyred Forest Watcher had done a series of exemplary feats while on duty. He joined duties as a Forest Watcher with the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) at Platoon 2, Handpost Bandipur and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar Circle on 20 April 2012 and is known for his worth-remembering services during the pandemic.


Foot combing in Nine Ranges! The late Raju B was involved in foot combing in Nine ranges of Bandipur and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Snare combing in N Begur Range and helping the Veterinary staff during postmortem of wild animals. He also collected information regarding forest offences and enquired about licensed gun holders in and around forest range limits.


A major contributor in detecting FOC during the pandemic: Another major contribution of the late Raju B was his role in detecting Forest Offence cases(FOC) during the pandemic. His leads led to the STPF team arresting a person found selling deer meat at HD Kote. He also arrested a poacher and seized a Single Barrel Breech Loader Firearm (SBBL) gun.


Involved in Anti-depredation of elephants: The late Raju B was also actively involved in the anti-depredation of elephants in the Moleyur range and Begur range of Bandipur Tiger and Begur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Metikuppe range of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. He was actively involved and gave indigenous ideas, which also helped to rescue leopard in Kharapura village of the Antarasanthe wildlife range of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.

He was actively involved in capturing an aged Tiger in the N Begur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Srimangala Tiger operation. He was also actively involved in the Tumakuru leopard operation.


His Special contributions: He had traditional knowledge about flora and fauna and shared his knowledge with the younger generation. He had special techniques in the identification of wild animal pug marks and scents while patrolling. On combating illegal fishing at Kabini Backwaters by boat patrolling staff, found missing and dead. He helped in uplifting the bodies.


Full confidence of the local people: He took full confidence in the local people to fight against forest fires and had a good relationship with the tribal people and other villagers. He was involved in many Tiger and Leopard operations and had significant contributions in capturing them. He found fishing nets in forest ranges and burnt them. He used m-stripes mobile to track down the foot combing. He always led from the front in firefighting, was involved in many fire accidents and successfully controlled fires.


Exploring the jungle: He was involved in fixing cameras to trace the Tigers and kept reiterating-"My life is always dedicated to conserving and improving mother nature".


-Manohar Yadavatti