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.
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.