As a fallout of the recent Express Newsline report, the Forest Department has decided to initiate action against forester J K Vaghela, beatguard J S Chavda and checkpost guard A K Raval who, according to the preliminary inquiry, had been found absent from their duty on the day (May 17) when the poaching was detected in the Vekariya forest round. The department is also thinking of stopping at least two annual increments of the three.

CCF, Wildlife, G A Patel told Express Newsline here on Tuesday that the department had taken a serious view of the incident and hence "we have decided not only to take away the charge of the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary from Gandhinagar Conservator of Forest (CF) Ramji Rai, but also hand over its administrative control to the Ahmedabad Circle".

In fact, the official order transferring the administrative control of the sanctuary was issued on May 26.

Besides, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) A P Mishra and G A Patel have written to Ramji Rai, seeking his explanation as to how the poaching of birds had taken place and why he had not initiated any measures to check this illegal activity at the sanctuary despite repeated warnings issued to him.

The Chief Wildlife Warden said the department had also sought an explanation from Gandhinagar DFO Arun Chaudhary, in-charge of the sanctuary, in connection with the poaching incident. "We have already appointed a new ACF, in place of Ramji Rai, as in-charge of the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary", Patel said, adding that a detailed departmental inquiry would be instituted against both the officials after they offer their explanation.

Apparently alarmed by the poaching report, the department has decided to revise and modify its five-year management plan to protect the rare birds and conserve wildlife at the Nal Sarovar sanctuary. The previous five-year plan expires early next year.

"We propose to augment the present strength of local forest staff at the sanctuary, create a fool-proof wireless communication system, introduce new mobile vans and patrol boats for effective protection and enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act in view of the vast sanctuary area spread over 121 square kms with as many as 11 villages surrounding the Nal Sarovar lake", the official said.