CM-headed Board 'endangers' wildlife
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 17 2012: Apparent lack of versatility and initiatives by the State Board for Wildlife has turned out to be the chief factor for increasing cases of wildlife poaching and illegal trade in wildlife in Manipur.

Even though Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh heads the Board as its chairman, it is said that he had attended the Board meeting only on two occasions during his three terms as the CM contrary to norms that no less than two meetings should be held in a calendar year.

During the course of a survey conducted by The Sangai Express, it came to light that cases of crime involving wildlife as well as absence of relevant measures to stop illegal trade and wildlife poaching is due to the Board's existence only for namesake instead of chalking up effective policies to protect wildlife.

From the erstwhile State Wildlife Advisory Board, it was renamed state Board for Wildlife in 2003 with wildlife management and improving service condition of the employees some of the important tasks supposed to be implemented by the Board periodically.

with the exception of meetings held in 2007 and 2010 under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, the Board literally remained in a state of dormancy.

at the two meetings which hardly lasted for half an hour each, issues related to border fencing infringing on the Yangoupokpi Sanctuary and approval to road development works were said to have been deliberated.

Among others the Board could not take definite measures or decision with regard to development of new national parks or demarcate protected area to ensure safety of wildlife.

Commenting on the two said meetings, Board member and noted environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou opined that the meetings do not deserved to be accorded status of Board sessions as the deliberation concluded under half an hour.

He also disclosed that inspite of relevant departments proposing development of wildlife sanctuaries in Jiri-Makru, Tuning, Kailam and Zeilad area the initiative could not materialise owing to the Board not discussing the proposals.

Dr Shamungou also lamented that a proposal placed to the Board for conservation of State bird 'Nongin' also remains a mere formality awaiting official sanction.

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