10 leopard skins, a reputed NGO, cheetah territory: Why MP, Wildlife SOS locked horns

Madhya Pradesh's forest department and the prominent NGO Wildlife SOS have clashed over accusations that the NGO's leadership was involved in wildlife crimes, specifically the poaching of leopards in the region. On July 23, a joint team of police and forest officials from Agra detained four individuals with 10 leopard skins. Two additional suspects, Wasim and Bhagwan Singh, were later arrested. The forest department alleges that these individuals operated in coordination with Wildlife SOS, claiming that the leopards were poached near Kuno National Park, which is part of the Project Cheetah initiative. The forest department filed a formal complaint on July 30, citing digital evidence linking Wasim and Singh to Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS. Satyanarayan, who has denied the allegations, was summoned twice by the investigating officer in Shivpuri, most recently on August 24, but did not appear. Samita Rajora, chief wildlife warden of Madhya Pradesh, stated that a lookout notice would be issued against Satyanarayan. The department further claims that Wasim and Singh supplied metal traps to poachers, leading to the deaths of the leopards for their skins. Wildlife SOS has dismissed the accusations as unfounded, emphasizing its role in combating poaching through community engagement. The NGO warned that targeting its members could hinder its legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts. In a statement, Wildlife SOS expressed concern over the potential consequences for informants and anti-poaching personnel whose contributions might be misinterpreted as criminal activity. It raised questions about the safety and support available to those who assist enforcement agencies. The forest department criticized the lack of reporting from informants regarding the leopard killings. During the investigation, it identified two leopards poached in Morena district, six in Shivpuri, and two more in Sheopur. The remains of the animals matched the seized skins. The situation has caused significant anxiety among MP officials because the leopards were poached within the protected cheetah habitat. The presence of African cheetahs introduced in India since 2022 has drawn attention from the highest levels of government, including the Prime Minister’s Office. Any loss of cheetahs could have severe implications for the state's conservation efforts. Satyanarayan, while not appearing before the investigating officer, released a strong statement expressing shock and concern. He highlighted the organization's achievements, such as the successful campaign to ban dancing bear practices in India. He described the NGO's mission as protecting and preserving wildlife and forest resources for the benefit of voiceless creatures. Historically, there has been a cooperative relationship between wildlife NGOs and forest department officials. Many retired forest officers serve on advisory boards or hold honorary positions within NGOs. This collaboration suggests a mutual respect and shared goals in wildlife conservation. However, this latest incident has introduced tension, challenging the long-standing partnership. The outcome of this dispute could influence future interactions between conservation groups and governmental bodies, particularly in regions where wildlife protection is critical.