IFS officer killed by tusker gets Elephant Warrior Award

Mysuru: The Project Elephant Division of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has decided to confer the “Elephant Warrior Award” posthumously to Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Dr. S Manikandan, said a release by the ministry published on Thursday, August 9. The award will be presented by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan during the inaugural function of the World Elephant Day-2018. Manikandan, who served as Nagarahole Tiger Reserve director is being recognised for his immense contribution, dedication, commitment and ultimate sacrifice for the conservation of wildlife, the release added. On March 3, the officer, who had gone to gauge the damage caused by a forest fire at D B Kuppe Range in the Nagarahole National Park with other team members had been attacked by a tusker when he had alighted from his vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead. Source: News Karnataka