Donate for deceased Tadoba reserve guard’s kin, forest dept urges citizen

Tigers at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. Pic/Sarosh Lodhi

In a bid to help the family of the female forest guard who was killed by famous tigress Maya on November 20, the Forest Department has requested people to come forward and help her family. People working in the conservation field, however, feel that similar help should be given to the family of the forest chowkidar who was stabbed to death by teakwood smugglers at Gadchiroli a few weeks ago.

Executive Director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar, in an appeal on November 23, stated, "In an extremely unfortunate turn of events, one of our forest guards working in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Late Smt Swati Dhumane, has lost her life in a sudden attack by wild tiger in core area of the tiger reserve while discharging her duty. She is survived by her husband and four-year-old daughter Aaroshi. Forest Department, Maharashtra, is trying its best to help the family by providing regular employment and financial assistance with all provisions available at its disposal. However, considering the inadequacy of the support garnered at the moment, and to ensure bright future for the young girl, Aaroshi, who has lost her mother at such a tender age, we appeal individuals and organisations to contribute for the welfare of the family of Smt Swati Dhumane, who made supreme sacrifice for the cause of conservation of forest and wildlife."

Swati Dhumane, forest guard at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, was killed by famous tigress Maya on November 20

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray too has announced Rs 15 lakh assistance to Dhumane's family. Dhumane's husband has also been inducted into the Forest Department. While lauding the Forest Department for taking steps to help the family, nature and wildlife lovers said similar help should be provided to the family of forest chowkidar who was stabbed to death.

On November 13, mid-day had done a story on how a 47-year-old forest guard succumbed to wounds on November 6 after he was stabbed by teakwood smugglers near Maharashtra-Telangana border. Forest Officials said the guard, Samayya Madanyya Gora, was a contractual employee and that efforts are being made to provide financial help to his family. Gora is survived by his wife Mungi Madhunakka, 38, and their 16-year-old daughter.

Conservation Lenses and Wildlife (CLaW), a wildlife group, has started a crowdfunding campaign to help Gora's family and has gathered around R2 lakh so far.
Actor and wildlife conservationist Randeep Hooda said, "I've been advocating for same compensation and help to forest guards/staff as well as any uniformed personnel who sacrifice their lives in line of duty, protecting our real heritage. These two cases are very different as the one from Gadchiroli is an off-roll employee. There is almost no compensation for the off-roll one, though the sacrifice is the same."

Conservation photographer Sarosh Lodhi, a member of CLaW, said, "The lack of sympathy and compassion towards the chawkidar's demise and his family's subsequent trauma is not justified. We have initiated a campaign for the chowkidar's family. Those wishing to help can directly deposit funds in his wife's account."

Wildlife conservationist Kedar Gore from The Corbett Foundation said, "Frontline Forest Department staff work in difficult and often miserable conditions. The very nature of their job puts them at the risk of attacks by wild animals. Therefore, it is necessary that the government create a fund to provide immediate financial help in case of any mishap."

Rs 15L
Assistance announced by CM for the guard's kin