A forest guard was tragically killed in an alarming incident at the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Bimal Kumar Jena, a dedicated 40-year-old forest guard, was on patrol duty with five other colleagues when they unexpectedly encountered a group of more than 30 poachers near Baunsakhal in the Similipal South range. Shockingly, the poachers were transporting the carcass of a barking deer that they had mercilessly killed.
Upon spotting the poachers, Jena and his fellow guards fearlessly pursued them, managing to seize the precious carcass. However, the situation quickly escalated as the desperate poachers resorted to violence, opening fire on the forest guards. Tragically, Jena was shot in the chest during the confrontation. In a race against time, he was promptly rushed to the PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada. Devastatingly, despite the best efforts of the medical team, Jena succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in the hearts of his loved ones and the conservation community.
The news of this heinous act sent shockwaves throughout the region. Authorities at the Similipal Tiger Reserve wasted no time in launching an intensive search operation in the dense forest area to bring the perpetrators to justice. Similipal Tiger Reserve’s field director, Prakash Chand Gogineni, confirmed that the poachers responsible for the senseless killing of the forest guard were locals who had been engaged in illegal hunting activities in the reserve for an extended period. Additionally, Gogineni expressed concern over the recurring confrontations between these poachers and forest officials, emphasizing the urgent need to address this growing threat.
This distressing incident marks the first recorded instance of a forest guard being fatally shot by poachers within the Similipal region. An official familiar with the matter shared that the poachers, aware of the severe consequences they face, have gone into hiding within the expansive forest, evading capture and amplifying the challenges faced by the authorities.
The gravity of the situation prompted the immediate registration of a murder case at the Bangriposhi police station, heightening the urgency to bring the culprits to justice. After completion of the post-mortem examination, Jena’s lifeless body was taken to the Saheed Post near the Salbani forest bungalow. There, fellow forest personnel, filled with grief and sorrow, paid their final respects to their fallen comrade, honoring his unwavering dedication to protecting wildlife and preserving the natural environment.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the immense risks faced by those who selflessly safeguard our precious wildlife and fragile ecosystems. It underscores the persistent battle against poaching and the pressing need for enhanced measures to protect vulnerable species and their habitats. The loss of Bimal Kumar Jena’s life echoes far beyond the borders of Similipal Tiger Reserve, rallying support for increased efforts to combat illegal hunting, ensure the safety of our environmental defenders, and preserve the invaluable treasures of our natural world.
