Rajasthan
Congress MLA’s resignation as Rajasthan wildlife board member sparks row over IFS transfers
JAIPUR: The resignation of Congress MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur as a member of the state wildlife board has ignited controversy over the recent transfers in Indian Forest Service (IFS) and the state government’s lack of seriousness about conservation.
In his resignation letter, Singh accused the authorities of disregarding the opinions of environmentalists and public representatives. He claimed that IFS officers were appointed based on personal preferences of the chief minister’s office (CMO).
Rajasthan Forest Service (RFS) officers who were promoted to the IFS have expressed dissatisfaction as they believe they were unfairly removed from key positions and replaced by IFS officers.
An IFS officer promoted from RFS said, “Despite delivering good results, our performance was ignored. The local officers are being given stepmotherly treatment. Ultimately, the forests and wildlife will suffer.”
Regarding Singh’s resignation, other board members expressed their disappointment but disagreed with the point that the CM was not interested in wildlife matters.
Sunil Mehta, a board member, said that forest department officials were manipulating the board and the CM and stalling the processes that have been approved and recommended by the SBWL.
Mehta stated, “The CM has taken a keen interest in matters concerning wildlife, which is evident in the fact that two new leopard reserves and a new tiger reserve have been launched, with a lot more in the pipeline. However, I do feel that the department has stalled the processes that have been approved and recommended by the SBWL. Introduction of electric buses and relocating villages are some other important issues that have been approved by the CM and the SBWL, but the files seem to be languishing with certain officials who appear to be deliberately stalling the process.”
He added, “I have even contemplated resigning as I was unable to make an effective contribution. All my efforts were going in vain due to manipulations by certain officials, including in getting funds through CSR and banning of board members’ assessment visits to tiger and leopard reserves on specific oral instructions.”
Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, an environmental activist, said, “I have recently obtained the minutes of the last board meeting. There was no proposal for the conservation of wildlife. It appears that proposals are only tabled to benefit a few hotels or mines.”
In his resignation letter, Singh accused the authorities of disregarding the opinions of environmentalists and public representatives. He claimed that IFS officers were appointed based on personal preferences of the chief minister’s office (CMO).
Rajasthan Forest Service (RFS) officers who were promoted to the IFS have expressed dissatisfaction as they believe they were unfairly removed from key positions and replaced by IFS officers.
An IFS officer promoted from RFS said, “Despite delivering good results, our performance was ignored. The local officers are being given stepmotherly treatment. Ultimately, the forests and wildlife will suffer.”
Regarding Singh’s resignation, other board members expressed their disappointment but disagreed with the point that the CM was not interested in wildlife matters.
Sunil Mehta, a board member, said that forest department officials were manipulating the board and the CM and stalling the processes that have been approved and recommended by the SBWL.
Mehta stated, “The CM has taken a keen interest in matters concerning wildlife, which is evident in the fact that two new leopard reserves and a new tiger reserve have been launched, with a lot more in the pipeline. However, I do feel that the department has stalled the processes that have been approved and recommended by the SBWL. Introduction of electric buses and relocating villages are some other important issues that have been approved by the CM and the SBWL, but the files seem to be languishing with certain officials who appear to be deliberately stalling the process.”
He added, “I have even contemplated resigning as I was unable to make an effective contribution. All my efforts were going in vain due to manipulations by certain officials, including in getting funds through CSR and banning of board members’ assessment visits to tiger and leopard reserves on specific oral instructions.”
Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, an environmental activist, said, “I have recently obtained the minutes of the last board meeting. There was no proposal for the conservation of wildlife. It appears that proposals are only tabled to benefit a few hotels or mines.”
