BENGALURU: Despite opposition from Forest officials, wildlife experts and activists, the state government has granted permission to nominated wildlife board members and wardens to use their private vehicles in tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. The order, dated November 10 and signed by Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), states that permission is granted to honorary wildlife wardens and State Wildlife Board members to use their own vehicles in Protected Areas (PAs) based on the directions from the Chief Minister’s office.
However, the government’s decision has not gone down well with wildlife experts and activists. “We do not oppose the grant of permission, but to the kind of people appointed as Wildlife Board members and wardens. Nowadays, we have all sorts of members from real estate sharks to hunters who want to perform their ‘duties’ inside without interference,” they alleged.
Wildlife activist G Veeresh said, “The Forest department’s claim that there are no vehicles available for use is a sham. They can hire vehicles and provide them to members.”Seven members of the State Wildlife Board had earlier written to the Chief Minister to permit them to use their own vehicles in the PAs, claiming that they were appointed under Chapter II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and entitled to certain privileges. The letter written by Dr Shivprakash, Ramachadra Shetty, G Malleshappa and others on October 6 claimed that under Section 27 (A) of the WPA, they were allowed entry into the core of the PAs.
“Most of the time, the board members visit PAs on duty and government vehicles are not available all the time. Hence, permission is given to use their own vehicles, but with certain conditions. One local forest staffer will accompany them whenever they enter these areas. With man-animal conflict on the rise, state wildlife board members and honorary wildlife wardens can offer good suggestions to the forest department,” the CWW said.