PM orders task force on tiger status

17 March, 2005

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today decided to constitute a Task Force on the Status of Tigers. He was chairing the meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, convened after 17 months, following The Indian Express report on the missing tigers in Sariska.The PM has also assured the members that he will consider ‘‘the unanimity among the members for constituting two separate secretariats’’—one for wildlife and forest and another for environment—and take up the issue with the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
‘‘The meeting was very positive and the members could express their concern and raise all the issues of importance. I am happy that the Prime Minister has initiated strong action in the right direction,’’ says Valmik Thapar, member of the board, after the meeting.
Agrees Board member Ravi Singh, secretary general and CEO, WWF India: ‘‘It was a very constructive meeting. What the PM has done is good for the tiger, wildlife, our forests and the country. I am absolutely satisfied.’’
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Singh approved the following decisions of the Board today:
= To constitute a Task Force On the Status of Tigers in wildlife parks across the country.
In response to alarming reports of the disappearance of tigers, the Prime Minister had already ordered a CBI enquiry. The proposed Task Force will include forest officials, representatives of civil society and wildlife experts. The Task Force will be asked to give a report on the current status of Project Tiger and the status of tigers in wildlife parks.
= The Prime Minister also accepted the Board’s suggestion to establish a National Wildlife Crime Prevention and Control Bureau.
= The PM also informed the Board that the Government will ban any gift of animals by the head of state/government to other heads of state/government or foreign zoos.
The Board also gave its approval to allow access into protected forest areas for professional researchers for purposes of carrying out scientific research.
The Board also decided to commission a special study on the status of vultures, in the light of reports of the threat of extinction of vultures.