S Manikandan,Conservator of Forests trampled to death by wild tusker

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, March 03: In a tragic incident that too on the World Wildlife Day today, the Conservator of Forests and Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve S Manikandan was trampled to death by a wild tusker in DB Kuppe forest range in Mysuru district on Saturday.

The senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Manikandan was charged by a wild tusker when he had been to inspect and assess the damage to the forest caused by a fire in DB Kuppe range, close to the Kabini backwaters.

Manikandan along with few staff is said to have been talking a walk to inspect the forest area that was ravaged by fire last night due to a minor forest fire. Sources said that he and his team of guards tried to disperse two rogue elephants, but one of the tuskers chased him back and eventually the officer was killed.

Manikantan who had suffered serious injuries was rushed to H D Kote Government Hospital where he was declared brought dead. The body is being shifted to KR Hospital in the city for autopsy.

Chamarajanagar MP R Dhruvanarayan and other forest officials on hearing about the sudden demise of Manikandan visited the HD Kote Hospital and paid their last respects to the martyred forest officer.

The 46-year-old officer, a native of Theni District in Tamil Nadu was serving as the Conservator of Forests and Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. He was an IFS officer of 2001 batch (Karnataka Cadre). Manikandan, a devoted officer was known for his simplicity and also had a great concern to curb the increasing man-animal conflict.