Concerned over the casual and insouciant manner in which the Honorary Wildlife Wardens (HWlWs) are being appointed in the State, Wildlife Society of Odisha secretary Biswajit Mohanty has urged the Forest and Environment Department to stick to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which provides the basic criteria for the appointment of persons from the general public as HWlWs.
The HWlWs are appointed to assist the Government in protecting wildlife and collection of inputs and information to control poaching and trade.
Dr Mohanty, in a letter addressed to the Forest and Environment Department Principal Secretary, has stated that it is appalling to find that the HWlWs, barring a handful of them, have failed to discharge their duties.
“Many of them are retired. Government employees lack sound health as well as resources to undertake tours on their own. One HWlW is a consultant to mining companies and industries and gets forest clearance for them,” the letter said, adding, “The Forest Department does not hold consultation meetings with them and rarely seeks their help and cooperation to enforce wildlife laws and protect wildlife.”
“Even when critical wildlife habitats like Tiger Reserves are sought to be denotified by Government due to pressure from industrial lobby, the HWlWs do not protest.”
he laments.
The HWlWs are expected to play a key role in gathering information about wildlife crimes and assist the department in carrying out raids and seizures. The law also empowers them to carry out raids and seizures of wildlife IJ IJproducts.
Citing the guidelines in the Wildlife Act that provide for criteria for selection as well as the process to be followed for the HWlWs’ appointment, Dr Mohanty has demanded that the department initiate a thorough review and assessment of the work of the HWlWs before seeking to renew their assignments and make new appointments solely on the basis of the guideline.