Wildlife wardens contest forest minister’s claim in assembly

NAGPUR: Two honorary district wildlife wardens, Kundan Hate of Nagpur and Roheet Karoo of Umred, have contested forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar’s statement in the legislative council on Wednesday. The minister had said they are not opposed to diversion of 87.97 hectare forest land for Solar Industries India Ltd (SIIL) in tiger bearing area of Chakdoh in Kalmeshwar and Kondhali forest ranges.
Mungantiwar had said, “As on date the proposal is yet to reach the government. The two honorary wildlife wardens of Nagpur district have not submitted any report to the government regarding presence of tigers. A tiger had fallen in a well in that area. This tiger had strayed from elsewhere. It does not mean that tigers are present there. However, a survey will be done to find out the factual situation.”
Based on a TOI report published on December 3, NCP MLC Sandeep Bajoria raised the issue in a call attention motion. He said that wildlife wardens are also opposed to the proposed forest land diversion. He said that allowing expansion of the factory would endanger the lives of five tigers. This forest also lies in the midst of Pench-Bor tiger reserve corridor.
Hate told TOI that Mungantiwar seems to have been misguided by forest officials. “There is recorded evidence of tigers within 2km of the proposed diversion area. How can the minister be so sure about no tiger presence in the area proposed to be diverted? Tiger is a long-ranging carnivore and its movement from the said area cannot be ruled out," said Hate.
"Yesterday, I received calls from two wildlife wing officials, who asked me whether I have made any written submission to oppose the proposed diversion. I said no. This was considered as my view. I will give a written submission opposing the move,” Hate said.
Karoo too had received calls from officials. He said there is tiger presence in Katlabodi and area surrounding it. “I’m opposed to such diversion. I will submit my views to the chief wildlife warden soon. Without seeking my view, how can the minister say I’m opposed to the proposed diversion,” he added.
Hate says that Mungantiwar was kept in the dark. “The tigress released here in 2011 has delivered three cubs, which have separated and are moving in Kondhali and Kalmeshwar ranges. The department also has a film on the tigress,” he said.
Earlier, the minister in his reply had said that chief conservator of forests (CCF), Nagpur, had sent the proposal to the PCCF office seeking diversion of 87.97 hectare forest land on November 27. “Of this, 83.68ha was safe distance zone and felling of trees will not be allowed here. Only 4.29ha will be used for expansion,” Mungantiwar said.