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This is an archive article published on December 23, 2008

Call for separate wildlife cadre

Pre-empting the annual National Board for Wildlife meeting, slated to be held soon...

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Pre-empting the annual National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) meeting, slated to be held soon, 11 independent NBWL members met Ministry of Environment and Forests officials on Monday and demanded a separate wildlife cadre, dedicated to wildlife management.

Environmentalists have for long been demanding a separate wildlife service, differentiated from the Indian Forest Service, but certain sections within the MOEF are learnt to have been opposed to it.

“Unless a separate cadre of officers trained in wildlife management is formed immediately, we will not be able to stop wildlife deterioration,” said Dilip Khatau, an NBWL member.

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Flagship species like the tiger can have a better chance of survival if a wildlife cadre is created, said the members. “The very low number of wild tigers in the country is a matter of huge concern. Creating a dedicated, professional service will greatly help the cause of tigers,” said NBWL member and tiger conservationist Belinda Wright.

Senior officials of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) agree. ” Other species too would benefit by the creation of this cadre or sub-cadre,” says NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal.

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