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Parsi forest officers
Navsari born Hormasji Edalji Kotwal was the first Parsi forest officer in the princely state of Bansda (Gujarat). He had killed over 100 tigers in the forests of Bansda, Dangs and Dharampur and was therefore known as waghmaru (killer of tigers) in the community. A brave shikari (hunter), he died at the age of 56 in 1857.
Incidentally, the last forest officer of Bansda state was also a Parsi, Behramji Mervanji Saher. He was a law abiding person and even fined his own relatives for breaking the law. Though he was the chief forest officer, at the time of the merger of the states he was denied the post of Range Forest Officer by the new government and resigned from service in 1948.
Another assistant conservator of forests, Maharashtra, Rustamji Hormasji Madan, killed a tigress in the Borghat forest of that state.
Finally, Manekji Kavasji Awari of Bandsa, the writer’s father-in-law, served as Range Forest Officer in Dangs and Nasik District. During his tenure from 1928 to 1959 he killed over a dozen tigers.
PIROSHA M. TAMBOLI
Navsari
Incidentally, the last forest officer of Bansda state was also a Parsi, Behramji Mervanji Saher. He was a law abiding person and even fined his own relatives for breaking the law. Though he was the chief forest officer, at the time of the merger of the states he was denied the post of Range Forest Officer by the new government and resigned from service in 1948.
Another assistant conservator of forests, Maharashtra, Rustamji Hormasji Madan, killed a tigress in the Borghat forest of that state.
Finally, Manekji Kavasji Awari of Bandsa, the writer’s father-in-law, served as Range Forest Officer in Dangs and Nasik District. During his tenure from 1928 to 1959 he killed over a dozen tigers.
PIROSHA M. TAMBOLI
Navsari
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