Responding to the allegations of ignoring information about tiger poaching and other wildlife crimes, the principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and the chief wildlife warden SS Sharma, who is also the officiating PCCF of Uttarakhand, has replied to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, stating that necessary actions were taken against wildlife crime based on information provided. However, NTCA member and MP Maneka Gandhi has said that considering the serious nature of the issue, Sharma should be removed from his post.
It will be recalled that the NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal had sought information from Sharma about the factual status and follow up action taken on the very serious issues raised by additional PCCF (Wildlife) Administration and Intelligence SK Dutt who had alleged that in spite of writing more than 100 letters with information about various wildlife crimes and possible involvement of Indian Mujahideen in wildlife crime, Sharma had failed to initiate necessary action.
Talking to The Pioneer, Sharma said, “I have explained to the NTCA that due to the work done by the department we received an international award for wildlife protection from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) last year. I have not commented on any individual but cited policy aspects stressing that we have ensured patrolling and coordination with agencies like the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). We have made it nearly impossible for poachers to operate in the State. Many poachers and other wildlife criminals have been arrested and necessary steps are being taken for wildlife security. Regarding the development of the anti-poaching cell, the issue is with the State Government and I cannot do much in it. Regarding the allegations of corruption in utilisation of Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds, I have explained that this is not possible because the funds are released by the PCCF to the divisional forest officer who issues these to the ranger and there is third party monitoring of the works.”
Sharma added that it is wrong for Dutt to make such allegations aimed at the Government policy as he is governed by the Government service conduct rules. Sharma has also sought explanation from Dutt on why he sits in Dehradun when his office is in Nainital. Meanwhile, NTCA member Maneka Gandhi told The Pioneer, “This is extremely serious. PCCF should be removed from his post. There is no evidence to show effective work against wildlife crime purportedly undertaken by him.”