Wild rush to become member of U’khand wildlife board

The office of forest minister Harak Singh Rawat is flooded with applications these days. And all come with a ‘political source’. No, they aren’t for job or transfer. But for becoming a member of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL).

Over 28 applications have been received within a month from various individuals seeking their “candidature” for the post of 10 nominated members of the board. And each has its own backup from some or the other leader. “I am receiving calls from our fellow leaders backing various people for the board. The constitution of the board will eventually depend on the discussion I will have with the chief minister,” Rawat told Hindustan Times on Friday.

The race to being a member of the board has intensified in last few years. Thanks to the growing network of protected areas of Uttarakhand which brings perks along with it.

The nominated members aren’t provided salaries. But, they have a say in approval or rejection of various projects. From development projects like roads to some of the key revenue making projects like mining, opinion of the members becomes significant.

And to top it, the board members also enjoy perks of the government-access to protected areas, subsidised stays at lush green forest rest houses and others.

The board is constituted as per The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and its members are nominated for a period of minimum 2 years. As per the act, the chief minister heads the board.

Forest minister, chief secretary, principal secretary forest and officers of the department are the members of the board.

A nominated member, the act says, is “such other person, not exceeding ten, who, in the opinion of the state government, is interested in the protection of wildlife, including the representatives of tribals not exceeding three”.

Another challenge before the state government is to decide the wildlife wardens of Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji Tiger Reserve. Brijendra Singh has been honorary wildlife warden for several terms in Corbett now.

OVER 28 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHIN A MONTH SEEKING THEIR “CANDIDATURE” FOR THE POST OF 10 NOMINATED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD