Is Project Tiger director transferred?
M B Maramkal, TNN 16 July 2009, 10:52pm IST
MYSORE: After withdrawing the order banning vehicle movement through the Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary, the government has now allegedly transferred the tiger project director.
The sudden transfer of Rajiv Gandhi National park DCF Vijaymohan Raj has raised doubts about seriousness of the government towards the tiger conservation projects. Though the government has not come out with the transfer order, but has asked the officer to go on leave. He was given the DCF post a fortnight ago.
Crux of the matter is wildlife DCF Mysore division Yatishkumar, who is junior to him and held the additional charge of the park, is allegedly behind the transfer as he wants to play a key role in implementation of a multi-crore tribal relocation plan, reportedly worked out by him. As per the norm, the post of DCF of the national park should be given to an IFS-cadre officer and Yatishkumar is a non-IFS officer.
However, denying the allegations, Yatishkumar said he is the last person to indulge in such a activity. After the success of the relocation plan in Bhadra project, the Centre came forward to fund the tribal relocation. Under the new plan, each family relocated from the park gets a financial aid of Rs 10 lakh against the earlier proposal of Rs 1 lakh. “I have succeeded in persuading more than 100 tribal families to accept the plan and seven of them have relocated themselves after directly accepting Rs 10 lakh from the government,” he said.
“If another officer implements it it is well and good and I will have more time to spend with my family,” he said, adding he had suggested Vijaymohan Raj to continue in the post.
When contacted, Raj said: “I am ill and I have sought permission from PCCF to go on leave. My going on leave has nothing to with the tribal rehabilitation plan.”
