In a letter to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, based in Mangaluru, the National Environment Care Federation has asked him to cancel the appointment of politically connected people without ecology, wildlife and forest habitats knowledge in Karnataka State Board for Wildlife.
The board advises the government of Karnataka on wildlife conservation with its Chief Minister as its chairperson.
On 3rd August, H. Shashidhar Shetty wrote a letter to the Governor on behalf of his federation saying that at a time when there is push for development projects and linear structures in Karnataka’s forested districts, government has appointed individuals with political connections and who lack expertise in ecology, wildlife, and forest habitats as members of this board.
“Western Ghats which is ecologically sensitive area of Karnataka is under threat but it’s quite disheartening looking at present composition of board. The state has some of best ecologists and conservation organizations with decades of field experience and expertise in wildlife conservation. However not even one experienced person from this pool was nominated to be part of this forum. Such arbitrary natures of appointments have shown that governing authority has been relinquished to vested interests which are aimed at pushing through destructive projects against preservation.” Mr Shetty said.
Instead of following Section 6 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 under which ten out thirty one members are supposed to be eminent conservationists, it has filled these positions with politicians’ relatives and friends.
According to Mr. Shetty among other things,” besides having Chief Minister as Chairperson and Forest Minister as Vice-Chairperson, three legislators including members from various departments.”
They are:
- Ashok Pattan, MLA, Ramdurg
- H.M. Ganesh Prasad, MLA, Gundlupet
- Puttanna, MLC
The ten ‘eminent conservationists’ are as follows:
- Dhruv M Patil, son of Minister M.B Patil (Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development)
- Vaishali Kulkarni, daughter of MLA and KUWSDB Chairman Vinay Kulkarni
- Sanketh Poovaiah, Kodagu Congress spokesperson
- H.V. Santhrupth, surgeon at Shanthaveri Gopal Gowda Memorial Hospital, Mysuru
- Rajkumar S. Alle, orthodontist, R.R. Nagar, Bengaluru
- Ajit Karigudaiah, Bengaluru
- Vinay Kumar Maalige, Bidar
- Mallappa S. Angadi, Bengaluru
- Ravindra Raghunath, Bengaluru
- Chikkanna, Mysuru
- Wildlife Association of South India
- Tigers Unlimited Wildlife Society
- Bengaluru Environmental Trust
Wildlife Association of South India or Tigers Unlimited Wildlife Society or Bengaluru Environmental Trust are all non-governmental organizations located in Bangalore.
Mr. Shetty stated that these appointments do not serve well for addressing environmental issues by government; thus he appealed to governor for appointing those who have genuine expertise and proven track record for this board position.
