Responding to the recent seizure of seven leopard pelts and bones, State Forest and Wildlife minister Dinesh Aggarwal has set up a departmental committee to inquire into the case and ascertain responsibility of the officials concerned. Apart from this, the divisional forest officers in Uttarakhand will now have to mandatorily spend 90 nights and 120 days annually in the forests. The DFOs will also be authorised to enable phone tapping of wildlife crime suspects in coordination with the police, said Aggarwal while addressing the media here on Friday.
Expressing concern and dissatisfaction at the state of wildlife protection considering the recent seizure of more than half a dozen leopard pelts, the minister acknowledged that this was the result of departmental lapses. In this context, Aggarwal called a meeting with senior department officials to discuss the situation and plan necessary action.
He said, “In view of the recent seizures, we are also considering the possibility of poaching being carried out in a well planned manner by organised gangs in Uttarakhand. We will take measures to strengthen the department’s anti-poaching cell which will also coordinate with and use information from the vigilance and local intelligence units of the police to tackle wildlife crime. Henceforth, the DFOs will also be authorised to order phone tapping of wildlife crime suspects which till now could be authorised by the superintendent of police. In order to enhance presence of department officers in the field, it will now be mandatory for DFOs to spend 90 nights and 120 days in forest. The use of technology including Global Positioning System will be enhanced while the work related data will be computerised, in addition to which stress will be laid on long patrolling.”
Stating that he had no hesitation in acknowledging department lapse in wildlife protection, the minister informed that he had constituted a committee headed by principal chief conservator of forests Veena Sekhri with chief wildlife warden and chief conservators of wildlife, Garhwal and Kumaon divisions as its members.
He said, “The committee will ascertain the factors related to the leopard pelt seizures which was a result of negligence at the divisional forest level. The responsibility of the official concerned will be established and action taken based on the findings of this committee. Apart from this, to improve wildlife security in the State, our officials will effectively pursue the proposal of formation of tiger protection force and arms purchase which is pending with the Home Affairs ministry. Additionally, the department will step up vigilance at selected exit points of the State generally used for smuggling of wildlife contraband.”
The minister also informed that funds had been approved and also released in some cases for various other measures for improving wildlife security and boosting eco and village tourism.