A tragic incident underscoring the perilous conflict between vehicles and wildlife occurred near the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh. A young male spotted deer lost its life after being hit and then dragged for a considerable distance by a speeding mini truck.
Details of the Tragic Collision
The accident took place on Thursday on the Pilibhit–Basti Road, close to the Mala forest range within the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. According to officials, the one-and-a-half-year-old deer was attempting to cross the road when it was struck by the vehicle, which was moving at high speed.
In a callous act, the truck driver did not stop after the collision. Shockingly, the vehicle dragged the deer's body for nearly a kilometre before being noticed. A vigilant forest patrol team saw the animal's carcass stuck to the truck and immediately gave chase.
Arrest and Legal Action
The forest department team successfully intercepted the truck. They took the driver, Arvind Kumar, into custody. He was accompanied by his helper, Siya Ram. Both individuals are residents of Baheri tehsil in the Bareilly district.
Range officer Robin Kumar Singh confirmed that the two were charged under sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act. Following the legal process, they were sent to jail on Friday.
Broader Issue of Wildlife Safety
This unfortunate event has once again turned the spotlight on the frequent and rising number of wildlife fatalities on roads that cut through critical forest habitats. Such incidents pose a significant threat to conservation efforts.
When questioned about measures to prevent these accidents, particularly the implementation of the Supreme Court's directives to ban night traffic in core forest zones, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), UP, Anuradha Vemuri, stated that the department was going to implement it. This move is anticipated to reduce nocturnal animal-vehicle collisions.
The death of the spotted deer in Pilibhit serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of speed limits, better signage, and effective wildlife corridors to ensure the safety of India's precious fauna.
