Date:04/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/04/stories/2007020419930400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Dismiss forest official: Maneka

Staff Reporter

Cases registered against senior manager of PFA for violation of Wildlife Act Takes exception to registration of cases against senior manager of PFA

IN OPPOSITION: Members of People for Animals staging a protest in front of Aranya Bhavan in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: Chairperson of People for Animals (PFA) Maneka Gandhi has sought dismissal of the forest official who has registered cases against a senior official of PFA for possessing, transporting and releasing of wildlife without permission of Forest Department and unauthorised use of land near the Turahalli Gudda Reserve Forests at Kengeri.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (Bangalore Urban) A.M. Annaiah, who is also the Deputy Wildlife Warden, on Thursday booked cases against senior manager of PFA R. Sharath Babu for violations of various provisions of Wildlife Act, Karnataka Forests Act and Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act. The forest officials took note of the violations during a visit to PFA's wildlife rescue centre at Kengeri.

In a letter to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi, Ms. Gandhi said the action of Mr. Annaiah was with an intention to show in bad light the PFA, which had been involved in rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals for the past 10 years.

The work done by the rescue centre in Kengeri had received national and international commendations.

Denying the allegations made against PFA, Ms. Gandhi said the Wildlife Act allowed rescues to be done by NGOs. Every city has NGOs which are honorary wildlife wardens. She denied that the PFA was guilty of unauthorised use of land within 100 metres from the boundary of Turahalli Gudda reserve forest.

The PFA had not cut any trees, but in turn was involved in afforestation. Mr. Annaiah was challenging the order of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) giving license to the PFA for running the rescue centre, she said.

Protest

About 100 PFA members and wildlife enthusiasts on Saturday lodged their protest in front of Aranya Bhavan here against the action of Mr. Annaiah.

The protesters demanded the immediate suspension of the forest official.

The protest was called off after Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) A.K. Verma assured of action.