Govt rejects proposal to split Indian Forest Service

Govt rejects proposal to split Indian Forest Service
Wed, Aug 11 06:21 PM

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) Terming wildlife and forest conservation as two sides of the same coin, the Environment Ministry has rejected a proposal to split the forest services into two services, with one looking after wildlife.

"Wildlife conservation has to take support from forest conservation only, so the two could not be separated. Hence a proposal to split the Indian Forest Services (IFS) into two have been shot down," Director General (Forest) Dileep Kumar said. He was speaking at a meeting of the Field Directors of Tiger Reserves from different states, organised by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) here yesterday. There had been constant demand from various NGOs to split the IFS into two services, claiming the move would ensure better management of wildlife and forest sector.

Kumar, however, made it clear that the government has no plans to do so, at least in the near future. He also exhorted the field directors to develop wildlife management in a way which uses the stake of local communities. "We have to be in touch with our people continuously, find ways not to create a sense of antagonism with local communities continuously. Forest department has a very characteristic way of functioning, as it is marked by high degree of isolation. "This makes them highly dependent on local communities," the official pointed out.

He said as a small step in the direction of creating specialisation and expertise in the forest service, the ministry is planning to start three fellowships-- Hari Singh Fellowship for fresh officers, S K Fellowship and C. Ranganath Fellowship. Kumar also pointed out that a total seven officers who passed out this year from IFS and have shown more than extraordinary interest and aptitude in wildlife, have been identified and selected for specialised training in wildlife management.

Link - http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20100811...html?printer=1

It is unfortunate that even after several decades the Government has not been able to understand the importance of creating a specialised department for Wildlife. I am sharing the views of the late Kailash Sankhala regarding the need for a separate department for wildlife.

“ We seem to forget the fact that nature cannot be protected by chanting Vedic mantras or celebrating ‘Vana Mahotsava’ and National Wildlife Weeks, nor by building mathematical models and writing glossy management plans, nor by making formal declarations of intent in quick succession….”

"In new India, several new departments have been raised with success to meet the specialized demands of law and order, like the Home Guards, Coast Guards and Border Security Force, and of scientific management in the areas of space, environment, telecommunication, radio and television and many more. It is a pity that Wildlife Reserve Management, which is a specialized job involving the scientific conservation of nature, still continues to be in the hands of woodcutters and exploiters and the proposed department is still being endlessly debated. This is despite the successful demonstration of its functional viability, as an independent organization, by Project Tiger. They seem to enjoy the passion of possession without responsibility and that too by dictat. An Indian Forest Service for Wildlife and Reserves is imperative with its own training programme."

Sabyasachi

What is wrong in having a team or a force dedicated specifically to wildlife?

It would ensure more focus and channelised efforts on the part of the officials (all other factors favouring).

Some update..

TURN THE CORNER
Malvika Singh

It is now clear that the ministry of environment and forests must be divided into two — the ministry of environment and the ministry of forests and wildlife. Jairam Ramesh can go on harping about the growth in the number of tigers in the wild. Yet the truth is that the Sunderbans and tigers in those really wild jungles and swamps were never part of the census till this time. It is easy to fudge accounts. But the truth will prevail about the gross mismanagement of forests and wildlife in India. The bureaucracy at the Centre and in the states that governs and manages our natural treasures has no clue whatsoever as to how to do so — which is why forests have shrunk and animals have continued to head towards extinction. Lack of experience in the ‘field’ and no substantive expertise have led to the abject failure. The men in charge are in eternal denial. They come up with untenable explanations to accompany their limited knowledge. They manipulate their bosses and play politics in the worst possible fashion to cover up their faulty operations.

Archaic positions and regulations allow for corruption and malfunction. Misuse of power, sarcastic reactions to any intelligent and appropriate suggestion from civil society, complete lack of accountability and more have brought us down to our knees. It is shameful that India permits its bureaucracy to kill the great inheritance and legacy of this nation. Other countries have found solutions and worked wonders. India has only one response — close the area to the people. This is the commonplace, weak ploy of men and women who, because of insufficient brain-power, prefer dictatorial stances. It generates a kingdom of wholesale corruption where the doorkeeper is bureaucracy and where accountability remains in the hands of a class that is going the wrong way, behind closed doors. Thus, the destructive nexus of those mandated to enforce the laws and the lawbreakers has besieged modern India, weakening our civilization.

No use

The present breed of babus — ignorant about the larger issues of this world — recognizes its intellectual lacunae and so, in deep insecurity, manipulates and destroys the experts, only to survive and contort the truth. The bureaucrats always choose the ‘average’ to act as their ‘advisors’ and never the solid experts, because the experts will see through their veneer of scant know-how. This mediocrity throttles India and compels all quality people to stay away from the government and condone its shenanigans. Citizens see this and comprehend the reality. A new-generation leadership will, most definitely, change this ‘management style’. A few years of waiting and India may begin to turn the corner with a fresh political mindset that will rejuvenate a moribund administrative service.

The minister of environment is overburdened with a plethora of ‘environment’ issues that are in combat with ‘development’ issues. He has abdicated his understanding of forests and environment issues in favour of his babus. Numbers and figures are of no use at all when faulty management is rampant across this sector. It is a ‘rich’ sector and, therefore, very vulnerable. Timber and land are a deadly combination for any mafia. There is no Indira Gandhi type politician around today who cares as profoundly as she did for the forests and their inmates, who is as willing to do what is required, with no questions asked and no limp explanations accepted from average functionaries. She saved the Silent Valley National Park. She created Project Tiger to protect the big cat. It is ironic that under the rule of the United Progressive Alliance, we have lost more tigers than ever in the short time span of six years. The ministry must be restructured and its commitment to forests and wildlife restored.

Link - The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Opinion | Turn the Corner

The stand by govt. is a testimonial to the fact that wildlife is never given importance unlike other sectors.

As well wishers of wildlife in the country we should constantly engage with the government and make changes happen.

TFS.