Maharashtra State Wildlife Board reconstituted

NAGPUR: After much twist and turns, the government on August 31 finally reconstituted the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board (MSWB). The three-year term of the board had ended on March 22.

The 33-member board has been reconstituted as per Section 6 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The board will be chaired by chief minister while chief wildlife warden is the member-secretary.

Chief wildlife warden SWH Naqvi confirmed the development stating that reconstitution of the board had become imperative after its term expired five months ago. The last MSWB was constituted on February 23, 2010.

Executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) Belinda Wright, Sanctuary Asia editor Bittu Sahgal, Bombay Natural History Society's (BNHS) Asad Rahmani, Satpuda Foundation chief Kishor Rithe, wildlife expert Anish Andheria, Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) chief Hemendra Kothari, Eco-Pro president Bandu Dhotre, social worker Praksh Amte, bamboo activist Devaji Tofa, MLAs Anandrao Gedam from Armori and Jagdishchandra Valvi are some of the known names who have been nominated as members on the wildlife board.

Forest minister is the de facto vice-president of the board while minister of state for forest, FDCM managing director, head of forest force (HoFF), field directors of tiger reserves, principal secretary (forest), and principal secretary (tribal development) among others are also on the board. Shockingly, no NGO has been included in the board from Nagpur.