The government has finally constituted the State Wildlife Board for a three-year term, almost two years after its term had ended.
The board comprises Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar as chairperson. Vice-chairperson being, forest minister, Rajendra Arlekar. The other members are sports and youth affairs minister, Ramesh Tawadkar and MLA’s, Subhash Phal Dessai and Ganesh Gaonkar.
The state board for wildlife was set up in 2012, for a period of three years under the chairmanship of chief minister Manohar Parrikar. The notification was issued by the Under Secretary Forest, Pushpa Naik.
Duties of the State Board for Wild Life
It shall be the duty of state board for Wild Life to advise the state government,
- In the selection and management of areas to be declared as protected areas;
- In formulation of the policy of protection and conservation of Wild Life and specified plants;
- In any matter relating to any schedule; [ (cc) in relation to the measures to be taken for harmonizing the needs of the tribals and other dwellers and other dwellers of the forest with Protection and conservation of wild life; and *]
- In any matter that may be referred to it by the State Government.
The board consist of 31-members which includes representatives of state and central governments departments. This year, the Chief Wildlife Warden will be the member secretary, the body has many government officials and others as members including director, animal husbandry and veterinary services; director of fisheries; officer (to be nominated by director) wildlife preservation, and representatives from wildlife institute of India, Dehradun; Botanical survey of India and Zoological survey of India.
We can now hope that areas under forest cover of tourist interest shall be protected from misuse and abuse by tourists and land grabbing sharks for posterity.
