The field staffs of India’s forest departments ensure the ecological stability of the country by implementing the National Forest Policy. The Green soldiers patrol expansive and dense forests in order to ensure the safety of the wild animals and forest. They are also responsible for managing the National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserves and other wildlife protected areas.
However, in the line of duty, they come across several threats. They come across life-threatening situations during their duty including forest fires, man-animal conflicts, poachers and smugglers. However, the field staffs work without any recognition while struggling to carry on their job being away from home.
Recently, a disturbing video emerged on social media in which a green soldier lost his life after getting grievously injured in a wild elephant attack.
As seen in the video, a wild elephant can be seen chasing a man violently. As the man rushes behind a bush, the violent elephant attacks it. Meanwhile, some other people can be heard screaming loudly to scare away the elephant. Even sounds of bullets firing can be heard in the video. However, the elephant didn’t move away and attacked the man.
After a while, the pachyderm walked into the forest. As it seems, the jumbo injured the man and walked into the forest.
Sharing the video on Twitter, Indian Forest Service (IFS) official Susanta Nanda wrote, “Another green soldier falls on the line of duty.”(sic)
Further in his Tweet, he briefed about the green soldier and the tragic incident. His post read: Venkatesh, popularly known as Ane Venkatesh had tranquilised over 50 rogue elephants in order to move them to different elephant camps. He was injured in wild elephant attack in Hassan district today & succumbed later. RIP” (sic)
Meanwhile, users have poured condolences for the green soldier and his bereaved family. Several others also expressed concerns over the distressing incident.