PM Condoles Death Of Forest Officer In Karnataka   

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of a forest officer who was trampled by an elephant in Karnataka, saying he will be remembered for his passion towards wildlife and forest conservation.

Conservator of Forests and Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve S Manikandan was attacked and killed by an elephant when he was conducting a survey at the fire line in DB Kuppe Forest Range in Nagarhole National Park near Mysuru yesterday. In a tweet, the PMO said the prime minister's thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Manikandan, who lost his life while on duty. "The country will remember him for his rich service and passion towards wildlife and forest conservation," the tweet read.

Bengaluru: A wild tusker attacked and killed senior Indian Forest Service Officer S Manikandan in a thickly forested area in the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, on Saturday.

Forest officials said the incident took place at Tatigundi Kere in the DB Kuppe range near Kakanakote at about 1.30 pm. The officer, S Manikandan, who was the Field Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, had gone to the area to assess damage caused by a "mild" fire in the region last evening.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Punati Sridhar said Manikandan was accompanied by other forest officials. After getting down from the jeep, they had walked for a while when the elephant attacked them from behind. While others managed to escape, Manikandan was attacked by the elephant and trampled to death. He was taken to a government hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, Sridhar said. "He was a good officer, who was committed to the conservation of forest. He was posted as the field director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve two years ago," he said.

PTI