Narla: In order to provide much needed emotional support Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife, Susanta Kumar Nanda today visited the bereaved family of Prasanta Kumar Palo, Range Officer, Narla, who succumbed to injury caused by an elephant attack while on duty on 10 December.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Shri Nanda and the entire Department of Forest mourn the loss of a brave and dedicated officer, said a senior Forest Officer.
The PCCF Wildlife Shri Nanda met Shri Palo’s son and wife and described the deceased forest officer as a ‘Brave Man’. He also talked to the other team members of the Range Office and motivated them for their work.
After receiving the information about the sad incident, PCCF Shri Nanda rushed from Bhubaneswar along with CCF Wildlife Manoj V Nair and other senior officials.
He also visited the accident spot and asked concerned officials to expedite the process for payment of compensation and other dues to the bereaved family.
At about 10.30 AM on 10 December, Shri Palo along with his staff, were trying to drive away a herd of elephants that had entered Amapada village farmlands to avoid potential conflict with humans, when the unfortunate incident occurred. He was shifted to Narla hospital where he succumbed to injuries at around 1 PM on the same day.
Shri Palo joined the Forest Department as a Forester and was promoted to the rank of Range Officer. During the course of his career, he had been posted throughout the district of Kalahandi in various positions.
He had a wealth of experience in management of wildlife and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, overseeing the presence of almost 100 wild elephants in Narla range throughout the year. He was 58 years old at the time of his sad demise.
