Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Chhattisgarh Seeks CBI Probe Into Indravati Tiger Poaching
Officials in Chhattisgarh say three tigers were illegally killed in Indravati National Park.
They found the tigers’ skins and other body parts among people suspected of wildlife trafficking.
Nine people have been arrested.
Two of them were linked to Maharashtra police, with one identifying himself as a police constable and the other as a police informer.
Investigators also found traps, knives, claws and tiger teeth.
The forest department suspects people from different states may be involved.
It has asked for India’s Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the case.
Officials are worried that all six tigers believed to live in the reserve may have been killed.
Tiger counting has not taken place there during the last three censuses because of Naxal threats.
Chhattisgarh’s forest department has requested a CBI probe into the killing of three tigers in Indravati National Park.
Officials suspect interstate wildlife traffickers were involved in the poaching cases.
Nine people, including two Maharashtra police personnel, have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Authorities recovered three tiger skins, whiskers, claws, canine teeth, traps, knives and other suspected poaching materials.
Officials fear poachers may have killed all six tigers believed to inhabit the Indravati Tiger Reserve.
- Who
- Chhattisgarh’s forest department, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and nine people arrested in connection with the suspected poaching.
- What
- The forest department has sought a CBI investigation into the alleged killing and trafficking of three tigers.
- When
- The recoveries and arrests occurred last month, including arrests on June 29 and June 30.
- Where
- Indravati National Park and nearby areas of Bijapur district in south Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- Officials suspect interstate wildlife traffickers were responsible and fear the reserve’s entire estimated tiger population may have been targeted.
- Requested investigation
- A probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation
- Tigers involved
- Three tiger skins were recovered, corresponding to three suspected tiger killings.
- Arrests
- Nine people were arrested along the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border.
- Initial recovery
- Two tiger skins, 13 whiskers and a Maharashtra-registered motorcycle were recovered on June 29.
- Other evidence
- Searches yielded hunting traps, knives, 12 claws and four canine teeth.
- Possible tiger population
- The Indravati Tiger Reserve was believed to have about six tigers.
- Census restriction
- Tiger censuses could not be conducted during the last three counts because of Naxal threats.