Following the tragic death of the IT professional Satwik Shastri (24) in the Bannerghatta National Park last weekend, the Forest Department moved to prevent unauthorised entry by patrolling the forest area.
They had their work cut out on Tuesday when they came across a young couple making out near the very same area in Ragihalli where Satwik was trampled to death by an elephant. The couple was warned and let off, a forest official said.
A.K. Verma, Principal Chief Conservator of the Forest and head of the Forest Task Force, said the department was putting in place pre-emptive measures, which included patrolling, and more signboards such as ‘Elephant Area’ to warn people.
He said the public should contact forest officials for information before venturing anywhere near the forest area. Bannerghatta National Park officials can be contacted on 080-28429366 (Office of Deputy Conservator of Forests).
Chief Conservator of Forests Ranje Gowda said: “Even though the area is vast, we will try to put in place some safety measures.”
Deputy Conservator of Forests N. Devraj said that area also has a road connecting Ragihalli and Shivanahalli.
The number of guards around the area will be increased and there will be regular patrolling in the surrounding regions.
The Forest Department will begin investigations into the case of trespassing booked against Ashish Shenoi, a business development executive with R 2 International, and Anupam Mannur, a research associate with IIBM, who had accompanied Satwik, under the Forest Act and Rules. “
Meanwhile, Satwik’s last rites were performed at the Wilson Garden electric crematorium on Tuesday.
His uncle Sudheer told The Hindu many relatives and friends, besides his colleagues, attended the cremation that took place around 12.30 p.m.
Mr. Shenoi and Mr. Mannur chose to stay away from the cremation but Mr. Sudheer said both had come to Satwik’s house in Panduranganagar.
