Corrupt Forest Department officials working under the protection of some politicians are responsible for the destruction of forests and wildlife, especially in the last four decades in India. Stating this at a programme to mark the conclusion of the Wildlife Week 2014 at the Raj Bhawan, Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi exhorted the gathering to work for the conservation of forests and wildlife.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that forests and wildlife have always been an integral part of the nation's life from the religious, social, economic and political points of view. "In the past when I was a cabinet minister in Madhya Pradesh where about 45 per cent of the area was under forest cover at that time, introduction of environmental laws prohibiting unresitricted exploitation of forest products was not welcomed by the Adivasis who considered it their divine right to live in forests off nature's wealth. Such was the impact of the laws that the ruling party at that time fared poorly in the elections.
There was also a 'grow more food' campaign for which forests were axed to make way for agriculture, which in my opinion was unforgivable. The feudal lords in the past also ravaged the wildlife with their hunting and the remaining wildlife was affected negatively by commercial activities. It was Indira Gandhi, who as the Prime Minister of India got the Wildlife Protection Act enacted and it is due to her efforts and vision that the environment and wildlife in India are still rich," he said.
Regarding corruption, the governor said that few corrupt officials in the Forest Department working under the protection of politicians were responsible for degeneration of forests and wildlife in India.
"History will not forgive such people. Some cases have also been brought to my notice in my capacity as the Uttarakhand Governor. I was shocked to see the destruction of forests brought to my notice. I am getting these cases investigated," the Governor said and exhorted the gathering to work towards environment conservation.
State Forest minister Dinesh Aggarwal said that with about 71 per cent of its area under forest cover, Uttarakhand is known mainly for its wildlife. "We need to pull up our socks to ensure wildlife conservation. In the coming years, we plan to observe the Wildlife Week in a more elaborate manner," he said. Earlier, the principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) AK Dutt informed the gathering about the various activities held during the wildlife week that began on October 1 with the release of Gangotri national park logo by the chief minister Harish Rawat to mark 25 years of the nation park and release of first day covers by the postal department.
The focus of the department was on raising awareness on wildlife with a special focus on school children. Various activities including essay writing, drawing competition and debates were held for school students at the divisional headquarters and range level.
Members of Parvatiya Sanskritik Evam Sahityik Kala Samiti from Pithoragarh presented a folk song and dance performance. School students who won various competitions organised during the Wildlife Week and department staff were also awarded for their work on the occasion. A book on Gangotri national park was also released on the occasion.