Jaipur, May 25: The untimely deaths of three wildlife activists, including prominent conservationist Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi, and a forest guard in a road accident in Jaisalmer have shocked wildlife lovers and locals. Radheshyam (28) was an animal rescuer from Dholia village in Pokhran, who was known for his efforts to save the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the state bird of Rajasthan, considered India's most critically-endangered bird species.

Radheshyam, conservationists Shyam Bishnoi and Kanwar Raj Bhati, and Surendra Chaudhary, a forest guard, were killed when their camper vehicle collided with a truck in the Lathi area of Jaisalmer on Friday night. With the support of villagers, Radheyshyam created more than 100 watering holes for birds across Pokhran, a desert area, which were filled regularly using tankers. Accident Caught on Camera in Rajasthan: 37 Injured 5 Critical As Wedding Bus Collides With Truck Near Majera Village (Disturbing Video).

"Radheshyam made wildlife conservation his life's mission. He worked on the ground. He started a great mission to provide water to birds and animals inhabiting this desert area. I urge the youth of the region to come forward and carry forward his mission," Shivraj Bishnoi from the Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha said. He said the Sabha will erect a memorial in memory of the four wildlife lovers who lost their lives in the accident.

Shivraj also appealed to the state government to give job to one family member of each of the deceased. On Friday night, Radheshyam, Shyam Bishnoi, Bhati and Chaudhary were going to check on a tip-off about poaching activity in the Lathi area. But before they could reach the spot, their camper vehicle collided with a truck, leaving all four dead, police said. Rajasthan Bus Accident: 3 Killed, 18 Injured As Bus Overturns on Udaipur-Bhilwara Highway in Rajsamand (Watch Video).

Radheshyam was known for raising the plight of the Great Indian Bustard in the desert region. He also rescued and rehabilitated many birds and animals. "A dedicated conservationist, Radheyshyam was always ready to rescue animals and birds. The government should help the deceased's families in every possible manner," wildlife activist Mal Singh said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra and several other prominent leaders have condoled the loss of lives in the accident.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)