Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve removed after issuing 'shoot at sight' order

New Delhi: Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) authorities have come under fire after issuing 'shoot at sight' orders following suspected poacher movement near the southern boundary of the park.

The orders that sparked controversy soon after they were issued, have resulted in the dismissal of the Director of the CTR – Parag Madhukar Dhakate.

Uttrakhand's Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy said that Dhakate has been replaced by Dheeraj Pandey as Director.

DVS Khati, the Chief Wildlife Warden, said that Dhakate was not authorised to issue any such order.

Last week, Dhakate had issued shoot-at-sight order and pressed two drones into service after movement of poachers was reported along the southern fringes of the park.

150 forest officials were deployed and a total of 388 camera traps installed at sensitive points within the territory of the park.

Villagers in the area were also informed of the same and were advised to avoid taking animals for grazing to the core areas.

The order, however, raised eyebrows following which Dhakate has been removed from his post.

(With PTI inputs)