WWS warden transfer raises eyebrows

KOZHIKODE: In a

controversial

decision, the state government has removed Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS)

Warden

, P Dhanesh Kumar from the post despite the election model

code

of conduct in force in the state when the order was issued.

The government has posted Patil Suyog Subhash Rao as the new warden of WWS through an order which was issued on May 19, the day when the counting of votes of the assembly elections were held. Dhanesh Kumar has not been given any new posting.

Greens said that the abrupt transfer of Dhanesh Kumar, who had taken strong steps against illegal quarries and forest encroachments in the ecologically fragile hill district, that too in violation of the election model code of conduct was highly suspicious.

""The transfer was issued when the model code of conduct was in force. We suspect there has been a conspiracy in this regard as the order was issued on the day the results of the elections were declared and normally caretaker governments don't issue transfer of officials. We will approach the new government to revoke the transfer,"" N Badusha, president of Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi said.