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IInd Meeting of Punjab State Board for wildlife on 30-06-2009 - Naresh Kadyan

Abhishek Kadyan, Media Adviser to the OIPA in India | 02.07.2009 02:41

Dr. Sandeep Jain, Member of the Punjab State Board for wildlife share this information with Naresh Kadyan......



It is matter of Great satisfaction that adequate steps are being taken by Govt. to safe guard the interests of wildlife and its habitat. To achieve the goal, greater Public involvement is needed .No programme can be implemented without proper Budget, trained manpower and involvement of masses. So more Budgetary allocation is needed to conserve the very meager wildlife left in State and to train the manpower ,create awareness among people especially youth ,students and organized organizations like Army,NCC,NSS etc.
Man power trained in wildlife management is very less .As per a reply to RTI application the o/o chief wildlife Warden about two years back that there are Six persons in State and out of these two have been retired leaving with Four performing non Wildlife duties outside Zoos/Deer parks etc.
It is hereby requested that each district Headquarter at least one wildlife warden with qualifications of M.Sc. Wildlife Biology or Zoology with training in wildlife may be appointed, as this is being done in Jammu & Kashmir, where wildlife Section is quite strong, well trained and well equipped. They can train further employees of forest department in wildlife. Before each step of promotion each forest official may be subjected to training in wildlife and this should be perquisite requirement for each promotion.
More staff should be provided in wildlife wing as due to lack of staff many important work like enforcement/verification of trophies and articles / correspondence etc suffer due to this, many agencies outside the State come in state to do enforcement work.
Special training Courses in wildlife may be planned for Veterinary Doctors in Zoos/safaris and Parks as there is acute shortage of wildlife veterinarians. The Zoo should have panel of Postgraduate veterinarians.
Similarly Hony.Wildlife wardens/Members of advisory committees of Community reserves and sanctuaries and Members of Punjab State Board of Wildlife may be provided opportunities to learn at various training camps/workshops /expeditions/study tours etc. and Subcommittees of PSBWL members may be formed as these are in National Board for wildlife Headed by Hon.PrimeMinister.They may also be involved in day to day work of wildlife conservation and proper importance may given to them and they may be treated as part of Department as per guidelines under the Wildlife Protection act 1972.Hon.Wildlife wardens may be compensated for the expenses spent by them on conservation work. Many times during checking wildlife crime or rescue operations they have to bear the Toll Tax at various Toll plazas apart from fuel/transportation. Necessary instructions may kindly be issued in this respect.
Zoo Development Society: It is well known fact that the Zoo is already managed by the persons (officers mentioned in annexure: V).They are Govt.employees and this their part of duty. But even after that, need is felt to form Zoo Development Society. it means there is some discrepancy (many Deaths of Precious wild animals are reported very often).It is suggested that the Governing Body and Executive body may have Experts in wildlife Biology, Distinguished persons having interest in wildlife ,NGOs,Members of Punjab State Board for Wildlife, apart from officials of forest and Wildlife department.
Regarding signing of Cheques and bills there should be three signatories and at least two signatures may be must for issuing any cheque and payments. Signature of Chief wildlife warden should me must. Moreover in case of Emergencies the Zoo director may be authorized to make purchase up to certain limit as prescribed by Govt.Rules.
It is important to mention here that during his previous tenure, Hon.Chairman has involved Army in removing weeds from Harike wetland and it was a very successful operation without any major expenses. After that no such exercise was carried out. It is again requested that Help from army authorities may be taken to conserve the habitat which is an important Ramsar Site and has came to lime light after sighting of Dolphins. It will not only save the resources but also the whole project will be carried out in more appropriate manner.
It is also requested to make the Identity of Punjab State Board for Wildlife known to general public. Logo of PSBWL may be finalized and brochures, literature may be published. To reach the Public every year one Wildlife Awareness Club may be formed at school and college Level in Each District. They should be given training. Next year another School and college may be selected and follow up of previously selected school be carried Out. in two years they will be able to guide others and take the message of conservation to masses.

Ludhiana Tiger safari: At Ludhiana Tiger safari More Tiger Families are needed as there are five tigers from three families and a family is released in safari alternately, leaving visitors with no proper opportunity to see the tiger

family with full pride. The Main Gate of Tiger safari may also be opened from G.T.Road side as it will attract more Visitors.

Few NGOs of National and International repute has recommended that to provide proper care to elephants in captivity in state,An Elephant park may be planned in Ludhiana as all most all the elephants are based at Ludhiana in Pitiable condition. The report has been submitted to Hon. Minister and CWW Punjab. As per report the elephants may be kept at a place under eco tourism project .The Visitors can see the elephant family in natural surroundings. In this way more care will be provided to this endangered species .The Owners and Mahouts may be given employment as care takers and mahouts at Elephant Park. The coming generation will have ample opportunity to see elephants bathing, playing in natural surroundings. An elephant ride can be organized for tourists to see tiger safari.

More Birds /reptiles may be added to Ludhiana Tiger safari

Abhishek Kadyan, Media Adviser to the OIPA in India
- e-mail: kadyan.ipfa@gmail.com
- Homepage: http://www.pfaharyana.in/