'Need CBI investigation into transit of animals'

NASHIK: In an unusual move, the local vigilance officer of the forest department has sought a probe into the trapping of animals and their movement by the department. In a letter written to the chief conservator of forests (territorial), Nashik, G Sai Prakash, vigilance officer (forests) Hemant Chhajed has demanded a CBI inquiry into the transit of animals, particularly scheduled animals.Chhajed also asked for more powers for himself.
Chhajed said that there was no record with the forest department about the number of wild animals found by the department and said permission was not sought from the principal chief conservator of forests, Nagpur, regarding the transit of animals.
Chhajed said that leopards are found in large numbers in Nashik but there is no record of the number of animals caught since no permission is sought from the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Nagpur, for their transit. "Records should be maintained for animals under scheduled I and scheduled II categories. According to the wildlife protection Act, 1972, it is necessary to acquire permission for transporting wild animals, particularly scheduled I and II. This is neglected by the deputy forest conservator, forest guards and other officials," said Chhajed.
In his letter, he asked the CCF to take punitive action against the concerned officials because earlier such actions have not been initiated in the Nashik range.
He added that many leopards and other wild animals were caught and transported without permission all these years and that is why a CBI inquiry of the officials was necessary.
A copy of the letter has been marked to the chief secretary (forest) revenue and forest department, Maharashtra state, principal chief conservator of forests, Nagpur, and chief wildlife warden, Nagpur. He also said that as vigilance officer, he has not been given any powers.
CCF G Saiprakash said that the complaint was very vague. "Whenever we have to trap an animal, we have to seek permission from the PCCF for doing so. In the permission letter itself, the PCCF mentions that the animal is to be released in the same habitat from where it was caught. This is as good as an order for us," he said. "However, I agree on one point that as a vigilance officer some powers should be delegated to him," Saiprakash added.