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| Corruption ruling roost in Wildlife Deptt, SVO silent | | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 13: With allegedly corrupt officers ruling the roost and managing to save their skin, Wildlife department of Jammu and Kashmir has been facing an uphill task of curbing corrupt practices and ensuring the protection of endangered species.
Officers facing allegations of corruption and whose acts of omission and commission are being probed by State Vigilance Organization (SVO) continue to enjoy important positions. Documentary evidence available with Early Times reveals that extensive damage has been caused to the conservation reserve in Khanmoh and Khrew in Kashmir valley besides brutally destroying the wildlife preservation hubs in Jammu region.
A scam involving crores of rupees having been spent on useless construction works is already under investigation by State Vigilance Organization (SVO). Three top officers of Forest Department are already under scanner. According to the official documents available with Early Times, ex-wildlife Warden Kashmir allowed cutting of grass in the precious Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary on the pretext that he was doing so to construct fire-lines.
Documents reveal that the wildlife warden is facing serious allegations of having taken money from the nomads and other people in lieu of allowing them to destroy the natural flora and fauna of Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary. They further show that the said wildlife warden allowed destruction of grass by charging a specific amount from the locals as well as nomads. They further indicate that he did this while having taken money for constructing firelines.
According to officials of Wildlife Department, fireline is a strip of land that has been cleared, plowed, or planted with fire-resistant vegetation to prevent a fire from spreading. Wildlife Department gets a specific amount annually from the Forest Department for constructing these firelines in the wildlife sanctuaries and other forest areas where they feel risk of fire incident is highest. This amount is then spent on constructing firelines.
According to official documents, ex-wildlife warden Kashmir showed utilisation of funds for construction of firelines while on ground, not even a single penny has been spent on the same. There are also allegations that the said warden facilitated encroachment of Dachigam wildlife area from the Khrew and Khanmoh sides. He allowed the locals to encroach upon the land belonging to the wildlife Department and preferred inaction over repeated complaints.
There are also allegations of the ex-wildlife warden having amassed huge wealth while allowing damage and destruction of the Dachigam wildlife area. Documents further indicate that he allowed the use of protected areas in the Dachigam sanctuary without bothering about the destruction this would cause to the flora and fauna. A complaint has already been forwarded to the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) for probe but no specific action has been taken so far.
Sources further said that SVO was expected to book the officials and initiate a time-bound inquiry. But they delayed the same and are yet to initiate action. Sources further said that the accused officials enjoy patronage of an ex-Minister who has been shielding them from being taken to task for their acts of omission and commission. |
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