The Hindu : New Delhi News : Centre unhappy over transfer of tiger reserve officials in M.P.

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Monday, Aug 18, 2008
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Centre unhappy over transfer of tiger reserve officials in M.P.

‘Recruitment at higher levels is under Centre’s purview’

NTCA asks State to put the the appointments on hold till monsoon is over
‘Environment Ministry supposed to make appointments for post of field director’

New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh government’s “unilateral” decision to transfer field directors of its four tiger reserves has not gone down well with the Centre.

“Though wildlife is a State subject, the recruitment of officials particularly at higher levels in tiger reserves is under the purview of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), set up by the Centre for protection of tigers which are on the verge of decline.

“Normally, the Environment Ministry after a detailed screening of officials at IFS level in a panel submitted by the State, does the appointment for the posts such as field directors,” a senior Environment Ministry official said.

In a strongly worded letter, NTCA has expressed its displeasure on the State’s decision and asked it to put on hold the appointments till monsoon is over.

“Even when some transfer is undertaken, it is done only after intimating the Environment Ministry to ensure that highly motivated officers are appointed, keeping in mind the best interests of wildlife and endangered stripped animals,” the official added.

However, inviting the Centre’s wrath, Madhya Pradesh government recently transferred field directors IFS officials H.S. Negi of Kanha reserve, G. Krishna Murthy of Panna reserve, N.S. Dungriyal of Pench reserve and S.S. Rajput of Satpura park without intimating the Centre.

While Mr. Negi has been shifted to Pench park and Dungriyal to Satpura reserves, G. Krishna Murthy and S.S. Rajput have been asked to join as Chief Conservator for forest of Chindwara and Van Vihar zoo in Bhopal respectively.

Though, Uttar Pradesh Government too had transferred field director of Corbett Tiger Reserve on its own, it later appointed an official from a panel of officials approved by the Centre.

“It (without informing the Centre) is a disturbing trend. But what is more concerning is that the move is not in the interest of tigers which are highly endangered species and are in need of conservation efforts. Ultimately, the state which will be the loser and our ecology where stripped animals occupy the topmost position will be affected,” the Environment Ministry official said.

As per Wildlife Institute of India survey, there are merely 3500 tigers left in the country’s wild and hence are classified as highly endangered predators.

The NTCA was formed at the behest of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an aim to protect and conserve the tigers in the country.

--PTI

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