dispute over jurisdiction of dead deer-forest departments kept it under wraps until now

NAGPUR: The tall claims of the forest department about regular monitoring of water holes and bodies adjoining forest areas, specially during summer, were exposed when four deer died of poisoning after drinking urea tainted water in Sakoli range. The dead deer included one male and three females, all aged around two years.

The incident must have occurred on May 17 at the withering Umri lake, 110km from here in Bhandara division. However, the matter came to light on May 18 and was kept under wraps until now. Even after the deaths, there was a dispute between territorial and Forest Development Corporation Maharashtra (FDCM) officials over jurisdiction at the site of the incident.

The Sakoli range staff claimed the deer died in compartment number 194 belonging to the FDCM, while the latter maintained that they were in compartment number 567, a zudpi jungle belonging to the regular forest. This dispute led to delay in panchnama, post-mortem and other formalities.

Sakoli RFO PR Nandeshwar admitted there had been a dispute over jurisdiction since the dead deer lay in both compartments. Due to the delayed action, stray dogs had already eaten some body parts of the deer.

"With the help of litmus paper, we could confirm that urea was mixed in the water by unidentified poachers. We suspect the hand of local fishermen and have summoned a section of them to record their statements," Nandeshwar told TOI.

On the contrary, FDCM divisional manager for Bhandara ND Choudhary denied any dispute. "The deer had died outside our area in zudpi jungle owned by regular forest. Hence, all the formalities were completed the same day by the territorial forest staff," Choudhary said.