Kandhamal: Forest Ranger suspended over elephant death in Jhiripani Munduti forest, Baliguda Forest Division
Kandhamal: The forest ranger of Belghar range in Kandhamal district of Odisha has been suspended over the death of an elephant that died in the Jhiripani Munduti forest under Baliguda Forest Division earlier this month.
The suspended Forest Ranger has been identified as Binaya Kumar Bishi.
On January 5th, 2026 an elephant was found dead in the Jhirpani Manduti forest under of Belghar forest range in Kandhamal district. It was alleged that the corpse was moved out of the forest into the Kadapana nursery to dismember it, later burying it nearby.
The said Forest Ranger was under suspicion for attempts to cover up the death of the tusker.
Following investigation, Baliguda DFO Ghanashyam Mahant confirmed that the Belghar Forest Ranger attempted to suppress the matter. Accordingly, Ranger Binaya Kumar Bishi has been suspended today.
